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The next morning had well, everyone on Asporyx’s isle plus Kastrimri making a visit to the medical floor of the citadel. The nearly-black scaled green drake was there to check about just how pervasive the Golden Leaves’ pollen was in his system; his Isle Partner Elrenlani was there for their clutch to be checked up on. Normally, there wouldn’t be so much worry, it was rare for there to be complications, but that was when a drame had a normal amount of eggs, not nearly double the high-end of average. Originally, it was just going to be the two of them, but Kastri had spent the night on their isle (with permission) after she’d been mated by Enoldria, who was, at the same time, being mated by Asp. The Indigo drame had woken up without her season, which wasn’t totally unexpected: she’d been in season for a few days already. The golden drame-herm, though... Asp’s biology had kick-started her heat as predicted. And, well, her heat was gone when she woke up. The last time that had happened was with Ren, so now... Dria was worried despite the Drameshield herb that was supposed to be a heat suppressant and contraceptive had potentially failed, with the potential for her to be in the same situation as Ren. She was one of the few first takers of it after all... and the only one to have mated with Asp during that time, who’s biology as a Toxinist interacted with the Golden Leaves to crank his virility up off most known scales. Srylumdar was along mostly to go to the library, though he figured a check-up wasn’t out of line, either.

Faistyve, their friend who was the disguised Spectral Matriarch-to-be, met them; she disguised herself as a vividly light-violet drame mostly because her helix white-and-violet coloration stood out so much. And those dragons who still didn’t want the various colors mixing, even after the territory wars and the destructive Luminescence event might target her. She also was being very careful about who she chose as a mate or even let approach in that way: there was lineage to consider, after all. There would be more security in a few phases, so she was going to eventually reveal herself. And she was particularly powerful with Violet’s empathetic abilities; she mostly had a handle on them. Her continued training also let her use that talent in conjunction with Violet dragon’s extensive medical knowledge, though she would be the first to admit to still being a student in that particular area. It’s how she was able to, well...

“So... Drameshield doesn’t stop Asp at least. That’s... useful to know. I wonder if it’s the volume or just his virility in general...” Fai said; he’d gotten used to this mood of hers. Like him, she was a researcher, but hers was much more about dragons’ physiology and biology; he was more into herbs and tree botany. And she was looking at him more like a research subject than the potential mate she normally did. Dria whined her anxiety and Asp nuzzled against her reassuringly. “And congratulations are in order to you as well, Kastri.” The indigo drame trilled; her heat had muddled her mental ability to work on rune magic and was looking forward to the few cycles break, no matter how gravidity might effect her.

“Alright, let’s get this over with and see just how stuffed I am...” Dria sighed; she all but bound over to the main examination room. Asp knew she hadn’t meant anything by it, but it still sort of hurt to hear it put it that way. Dria seemed to realize this and whined again. “Dammit, that came out bad.”

“I know, I know, you’re just anxious about how many.” Asp said; she’d said as much yesterday before they’d started at least. Ren surprised them both by nuzzling lightly against Dria.

“You will be fine, Dria.” Asp, Fai, and Dria all blinked: Ren never used nicknames. Asp was the only one she liked calling her “Ren”; Asp suspected it helped her to think of it as the last half of siren instead of part of her name, given their relationship of Master-Siren/Pet. “You would be able to handle a larger clutch much better than myself, after all.”

“Barely.” Dria sighed, but she nuzzled back. “I’d bet Fai would look better, but she’s so slender I’d still be worried.” Asp squinted at his consort, even if his scales hid his blush. Fai squeaked. The two of them were much closer in size than Asp was with Dria or Ren.

“We going in?” Sryl asked. Dria nodded and led them into the waiting suite; a silvery drame was behind a counter and asked for their reason of visit, assigning Sryl to a separate scanning room at his request. The rest of them were led to a spacious lab/suite; Lytrina, a violet drame in charge of security and Fai’s secret bodyguard and surrogate mother (and current warden for the Citadel-bound drame) joined them as well. Given how protective she was of Faistyve, and Faistyve’s position, Asp suspected she had been nearby but out of eyeline. It was, admittedly, a bit cramped with the six dragons and the medical professional, a matte dark pale violet drame, but the room seemed designed with a lot of individuals in mind.

Dria went first, to nobody’s protest. Instead of the stall they had been put in when they arrived, this was more a table or a lounge that they just relaxed ontop of while they were scanned from below, behind, and the sides. Essentially one less wall.

“Well, everything looks to be in order, Drame Enoldria,” The professional said after Faistyve explained... quite a bit to him, honestly. “There are elevated levels of the pollen in your system, but that seems to be expected, and all the effects seem to be in line with predictions with hermaphrodites exposed to it. Granted at an accelerated rate. But you, and your two eggs, should be fine. There does seem to be some lingering heat, so I can not say for sure that if you mated with Asporyx again that you would not have more for the next couple of days, but-” Honestly Asp couldn’t hear the rest as Dria bowled him over, happy growls of relief and kissing him. He kissed her back before nosing for her to get off of him.

“So Drameshield does seem to at least hamper Asp’s virility...” Fai said.

“It’s hard to say; Drame Enoldria might just not be as fertile as Drame Elrenlani. Or her hermaphroditic nature might help balance it out.” Asp and Ren had become a bit of a case-study; they’d occasionally had medical staff join them off isle while they were hiding from Dilorphus. Asp for how a toxinist drake’s body interacted with the pollen and Ren because of just how large their clutch was. “Ideally, we would want one of Drame Elrenlani’s siblings or even just another drame on Drameshield, and in heat, for Drake Asporyx to mate with to draw more standard conclusions.” The doctor said. Fai nodded in agreement, somehow not even noticing how Dria and Ren both looked at her and then at each other and Asp. Asp didn’t miss it, though, and got nervous enough for him and Fai. He leapt into the examination lounge next, stretching out with a grumble.

“Hmm... numbers are steady; I think it’s safe to say the pollen’s physical changes have hit their peak.” The professional said. Asp breathed a sigh of relief: at least he couldn’t get any more virile or productive. He could’ve easily gone three or four rounds with Dria last night, but his mind had... mostly adjusted to his new state: he didn’t get as frustrated or out of control as he was getting the first cycle. He got off and... thought about standing by in case Ren needed help, but she wasn’t near big enough yet it to be an issue. His anxiety was just getting his protective instinct to wake up. He settled by Dria, who immediately snuggled up to him with a happy purr. Ren seemed in good health; more amazingly, all the eggs seemed to be growing at the same rate.

Kastri, though. She was the real surprise. “Six?” She and Dria both yelped. Fai and Lytrina both sighed at that, though.

“It seems your fears were warranted after all.” Lytrina said. Dria and Kastri both looked at Fai, who just looked nervous. Asp looked at her warily, too. “Calm down, Drake Asporyx, it’s only indirectly related to you.”

“Y-yeah; I was just worried there was a remote possibility all drakes, or studding herms, might be more virile over time than the tests had previously thought. Incidentally, this means drames and herms might also be more fertile over time too.” Fai said. “It’s not at a bad level yet, but you have been more... exposed to a more potent source, Dria.”

“So if Asp and I had mated?” Kastri asked.

“... Ren might not be the record holder? That’s just a guess, though. If Drameshield wasn’t involved, I hesitate to guess how many Dria might’ve wound up having.” Fai said. Dria shuddered.

“I do... like Asp, a lot, but having any more than four or five would still make me really upset. Sorry Kastri.” Dria said.

“Ugh... I wish I had a better handle on my point spending... that many eggs will be a bother.” The indigo drame huffed. “It’s a shame personal and isle points aren’t... wait, why aren’t they separate?”

“Staffing. There’s a lot of participants, after all. That many accounts would be impossible to update constantly.” The indigo drame’s eyes went wide; Asp started to get a little worried before Dria spoke up.

“Oh no-”

“Gottagotalktoyoulater!” Suddenly, Kastri, despite the news, was an indigo blur out the door.

“And... we’re gonna have to go check on her occasionally...” Dria said with a sigh. “That’s the look she gets when she gets a really big, complicated idea.” Asp nodded and nuzzled Ren as she came over.

“So, what are your plans now?” Fai asked.

“I’m gonna go find Sryl and then we’re going to find out about the whole ‘combining isles’ business.” Dria said.

“I think I should get around to soundproofing. Or working on the pollen; it sounds like that’s going to become an issue for everyone sooner or later.”

“Consider it an official commission, then.” Lytrina said. “I spoke with the Elders in charge about Faistyve’s theory.” Fai squeaked. “They didn’t want to cause a panic, but given Kastri’s state...”

“Yeah, herms usually stud or bear on the low end of average, at least dual-slitted ones. We just put Sryl’s clutch up to the, uh... trigger. Which, come to think of it, is probably still the case.” Fai said; Dria nodded, getting up and giving Asp another kiss before going to find the drake-herm. “What about you, Ren?”

“To read. All those incoming fish... need to make everything is in place for them. Though, that does remind me we need insects, too... and underwater plants.” The blue drame said. She poked her head out of the room and froze. Asp looked for a moment with Fai and they both winced. Dilorphus was heading towards them; his isle partner, Argloni, was looking as haughty as ever, but she was by the exit of the medical area in general. She glared daggers at Asporyx.

Asp got up and stood between the entrance to the room and the blue drake, though he tried to be as non-threatening as possible. Dilorphus’s body language was... different. “Don’t worry, I’m not here aggressively, I just saw Enoldria and Srylumdar leaving, so I figured you were here, Drake Asporyx.” Dilorphus’s voice was... less grating than it had been; more drame-like, honestly. It still had a damaged quality, and judging by the scar on his neck, it was because of the battles he’d been in. “I just wanted to say that you have... I won’t say nothing to worry about. Loni’s not exactly happy about sharing me outside of her terms, or with my new gender, but I hold no ill-will about the result.” Asp must’ve looked... really doubtful. “I respect strength, whether it be force or cunning. Plus, you could have chosen a number of much worse options. All you did was make me something... more, I guess?” Dilorphus said with a tilt of his head and a shrug. “It certainly helped that Marinolok made it very clear why he did what he did and that you had no knowledge before hand. I do hope you continue to protect and care for Drame Elrenlani, though.” Dilorphus said. The now drake-herm turned and left.

“... I wonder just what Marinolok said to him.” Asp said after the shock left his system.

“He’s... completely different. And well-adjusted.” Fai agreed.

“I figured he would change; I am glad it seems to mostly be for the better. I do not trust it to have stuck yet, though. And it sounds like he might still have a bit of ‘might makes right’ in his head.” Ren said; she sounded shaken, though.

“I heard he spent a good deal of time during his monitoring check-ups feeling shame as well as anger, so it seems at least something has gotten through to him.” Lytrina chimed in. “We did determine it best to make his first chance at parole six full cycles from now... which would be about a cycle after he has had his eggs.”

Asp nodded; he left those particulars up to those in charge: he had no idea what was fair or not in this circumstance. He realized they probably didn’t either, but they were the ones in charge. Six cycles felt kinda long to him, but he understood the logic behind it. Particularly given there were eggs involved.

“Oh, you will likely be contacted for a commission to make a permanent variation of the Meke Blossoms that does not need your toxin.” Lytrina said. Asp nodded again; he still had a number of seeds left over. As for where to begin with that... he honestly had no idea. He parted ways with Fai after promising he wouldn’t work on the pollen without her and took off back to the isle.

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

Back on the isle, Asp quickly got to work, though he realized not long after he started he’d need light: he wasn’t working outdoors after all. He frowned a bit, but for now, he cut off a piece of log and created a lantern from that: really just a floating light ball. He tried using his claw, but the builders had made it too dense to do easily. He just glared at the wall and huffed out his flame in annoyance. So... he sighed and went to his alchemy table until Dria got back to consult with her, tinkering with a few seeds here and there. He hmmed as he looked at the way Wryt had set up the formula, too... Particularly how he managed to manipulate the deconstructed elements to display information. Setting up ‘new’ glyphs by the display organized the different information to each one. Though, now the info didn’t fit in one field because of it. There was a pair of runes that Asp did not recognize that changed the information; one added the next ‘page’ while the other returned you to the ‘previous’ page. Asp found a log to experiment with, splitting it in half along it’s length and the middle. He carved out the new Analysis formula on a couple of different logs, though with different ‘new’ runes. He created a combination formula that was fed by the different runes. Admittedly, this was complicated, and he used some spare Deerflame and Ivylight seeds, but he tried fueling the different runes and combination to create a specific hybrid with specific properties. He frowned when it didn’t work, but he also didn’t have infinite catalyst to test with. And each test would consume a seed.

Eventually, Dria and Sryl both came back to the isle; Asp pulled them both into working on the soundproofing after explaining that the walls were too hard for him to carve. So he helped Dria draw the formulas while Sryl filled it in with the catalyst; a red-orange helix like Sryl was particularly good at controlling heat without flame, so he could ‘bake’ the catalyst into being dry in a matter of moments. While they worked, Asp tried to find out more about the drake-herm... or at least get an answer that was on his mind:

“So, Sryl... if this isn’t a sensitive subject... why haven’t you sought help from the Violets about the whole... virility problem?”

“You kidding? Their services are pricey.” Sryl said. “I did ask, once, but they said it was a temporary, expensive-to-keep up treatment to be turned into a male or a dual-slitted herm. And no, I’m still on the fence on that.” Sryl asked, anticipating Asp’s next question. “It just... feels like it would be losing a part of me. And it’s not like Dria made the experience torturous or anything. It’s just frustrating is all. I was considering asking about whatever you did to Dilorphus, but I figured it better to wait until after these eggs are laid.”

“There’s also that side effect, though if you want to risk going into heat anytime someone mounts you... Or going for too long without being mated...” Dria teased.

“Wait, for real? Yeesh, yeah, I’ll pass. Faistyve did wonder if your toxin-pollen enhancement might do anything, but I’m not even sure how we’d go about that.”

“Well, biting or even drinking could probably work, though, that would be weird. As long as I’ve got Deerflame in my system, it neutralizes the actual ‘toxin’ part of it.”

“Could always let him breed you~” Dria purred; she’d been smiling and purring quite happily all day, it seemed, now that she knew she wasn’t going to be unreasonably huge.

“... It’s been a thought.” Sryl said; Asp was surprised. Sryl was quite pretty, all things considered; Asp hadn’t really thought Sryl would be up for that sort of thing. “Luminescence, numerous clutches, even, if it meant I could eventually sire my own... but kinda hard to do that right now anyways.” Dria nodded and gave Sryl a flank bump. By then, though, they’d soundproof each of the new rooms: it was set up so that it activated and used the ambient magic off whoever entered. They also set up the voice system; it was honestly a simple modification that made it so that the dragon only had to feed magic to a formula connected to the transmission formula. Dria also helped him make lights... and sculpted covers around those lights to diffuse them and make them a lot softer.

“Alright, looking much more... civilized.” He said.

“And I can get some decent sleep no matter what you get up to.” Sryl said.

“Fair enough; when is moving day?”

“Well, they said they couldn’t add the points yet, but they didn’t really care if we just started staying with you tonight.” Dria said. “Besides the deadline, there might be further delay; apparently Kastri’s idea had something to do with the point system... and now they’re revamping it entirely. She apparently already worked up a proof of concept, but they’re working out details more. We can still buy things, but stuff like isle joining’ll be delayed. Oh, and we can apparently convert our isle into points or use it as a discount for a new tile. Figured that’d be something to leave up to you and Ren, really.”

“Hey, you two are more than welcome to chime in with ideas.” Asp said.

“I’m good; I’m scouting about where I’d want to make a kitchen on the level below before asking Dria with help to set up the space. And then finding out about pots and such.”

“I did mean to ask Wryt about the one who made the collar for Dilorphus... those pots at the market were expensive.” Asp said.

“Likely Cael! Or, rather Caeludyl.” Dria said. “Not sure he’d make cooking stuff, but wouldn’t hurt to ask, I guess? Dunno what he’d want in return. As for what kind of ideas I might have... I can’t really think of any. I mean, I wouldn’t mind a tile we can use as a mining base... the ocean floor is supposed have a lot of good stuff to work with and that is what these are made of. But when I asked, I was told they were still researching how that would go if allowed.”

“Would be nice to have a way of procuring more of the standard alchemy catalyst ingredients... though I should probably consult with Wryt, first, about the idea I have.” Asp said with a sigh. Dria just bit back a laugh, though Sryl explained when he saw the look Asp gave her.

“Bylinvu’s not exactly the happiest dragon right now... she’s so busy because of you, Wryt, and Kastri that she was muttering curses under her breath.” Asp winced when he heard that. “But anyways, I’m off to go roast some of the deer we caught.” Sryl looped around the edge to land on the level below them while Asp looked about.

“We... don’t really have a place to relax, huh?” Asp said. “I mean, the starter area’s a landing zone, essentially... there’s the lagoon isles, but I kinda feel like that’s Ren’s space...” Asp furrowed his brow. Dria tilted her head.

“I mean, there’s where your first garden is... if we move that somewhere, we could make a pretty nice ‘lounging’ area, I think.” Dria said. “Could even make a full on shelter, there...”

“Oh, speaking of... wanted to get your opinion about the alchemy table’s shelter with the weather patterns turning down.” Asp told his consort; he idly nuzzled along her back, which only seemed to make her melt.

“Yeah~ Having that one pillar to support that corner~ That’s worrying~” She purred out. “Might want to get Nyfe to reinforce it. Or another green that won’t make it all spiky and poisonous~” Asp rolled his eyes and nipped between her wings.

“Any thoughts on what you might do for it?”

“Not really, you’ve got a whole look on that side I wouldn’t want to mess up. It feels nice over there with all the wood.” Dria hmmed. “Though... I should probably get to work on that walkway Ren mentioned...” Asp tilted his head. “Basically stairs up the Garden’s slope to make it easier; she had me divert the stream into gutters to put steps between. It is already pretty late, though... I’ll start on it tomorrow.” Dria purred, kissing Asp.

“You did hear the Violet say something about she couldn’t guarantee I wouldn’t breed you further, right?” Asp said.

“Oh, I know. I took another dose of Drameshield, just in case~” She purred. “But right now... just wanted to kiss my stud~” Asp rolled his eyes and pulled her into the main den, then, to spend at least a little while cuddling and just... bonding with her. Even if it did leave them both a bit worked up by the time Sryl called them for dinner.

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

Ren arrived back on the isle shortly after they all dug in; Sryl had made plenty for her as well. But after that, Sryl was sort of spent given all the runes he had to ‘bake’ today. Ren seemed to head towards her lagoon, though Asp tilted his head.

“Just going for a dip?”

“Well, your consort is here, I would not want to take your attention away-”

“Nope, you’re welcome in our nest anytime, Ellie!” Dria said before Asp could say anything, though he nodded in agreement. “Actually... I insist you’re there tonight~” Asp blinked and looked at Dria.

“... Ren, Dria. Please. Ellie makes me feel like a hatchling.” Ren said. Dria trilled in response. “But, no... I do not think-”

“Ren, do you really think you can say no to Dria?” Asp asked. “Plus, it’s not like I’m fond of you any less; we just got off to a rocky start and you... really like this dynamic.” Ren huffed and blushed at that, but didn’t deny it.

“F-fine, but why tonight?”

“Because... we gotta really break the nest in~!” Dria purred. “Now that soundproofing and lights are in, at least. I mean, ideally, Myra would be here, too~” Asp felt himself freeze up at that idea... that would be a lot to handle, no matter how eager he would be. “But... not sure Asp’s ready for that... or her for that matter. And we certainly shouldn’t wait a full cycle for her to join us here anyways. I mean, if you’re not comfortable enough with me there, I get it...”

“Dria, I have never found you... unattractive. I just was unsure how seriously you would take a proper partnership with me. And, well, you are quite casual.” Ren admitted.

“Ooh... yeah... can see that... But you’re stud’s siren, so we’d, essentially, be co-mates! At least until you find a proper mate of your own if it’s not Asp. And even after that...” Dria said. Asp saw how deeply Ren blushed and nosed against Dria. “P-point is, I do want us to get along. And for us both to enjoy Asp, whether it be in den or out of it~” Asp nipped at the drame-herm, who laughed because of his reaction. “Though, I guess we do need to find out the limits...”

“Given I am already gravid, I see no reason to be too careful...” Ren said quietly. “S-so long as that is what Master wishes.” Asp fought the urge to shrug; he’d gotten used to the role enough, now, to know he had to say something here.

“I will not deny my siren anything she wants... so long as she doesn’t question me. But she does only have to obey me.” Asp said clearly. “She is part of my treasures, after all.” Dria rolled her eyes, but nodded that she got the message: as long as Ren was into it, it was free-game. “Though, I do think Sryl would be upset if we start out here...” Asp said.

“Yeah... he would.” Dria said with a sigh. “Now, come on stud, you’ve got the last of my heat to sate and a gravid drame to keep happy~” Dria purred. Asp walked alongside her and Ren behind them, though when she nuzzled against Asp’s tail, he wrapped the appendage around her neck, loosely, like a leash. He felt her shiver as he did so and heard the small drame coo quietly.

Once in the den, Dria pounced him into the nest, pushing her muzzle against his in a kiss as she held him on his back. Ren let out a yelp given how Asp’s tail pulled her closer, but her muzzle almost instantly snaked forward and she started to lap against his length’s ridges, making him moan into the kiss and arch a bit. She swallowed his drakehood, suckling on him while Dria pushed her tongue into his muzzle and entwined it with his. Asp growled, a little overwhelmed by being double teamed so suddenly and quickly, but purred out his encouragement nonetheless as Ren’s tongue eagerly cleaned and bathed his length in her saliva.

“S-So, Dree, wh-what were you imagining?” Asp asked the golden herm once she finally broke the kiss; he could feel her own length against his scales. Ren’s tongue squeezed against his tip, making a jolt of pleasure shoot down his length and a jet of pre up it; she let out a dramatic purr at the taste of it on her tongue.

“Hmm... let’s get Ren all nice and bloated first... I wanna see just how much of that huge length of yours you can fit in her~” Ren squeaked. “Kinda like how you watched me with Kastri the first time we were together, except I’ll do the watching~”

“Y-you ready for that, Ren?” Asp asked, squeezing his tail against her neck.

“For Master? Certainly~” She cooed out. Dria clearly fought the urge to laugh at Ren’s behavior; even Asp had to think Ren sometimes overplayed her ‘pet/siren’ role. Never the less, they quickly got in position: Dria laid on her back, muzzle between Ren’s hinds, while Asp positioned himself behind Ren and started to sink himself into the tight, soaked, cool folds of his siren while they both growled out their pleasure. “Oh, wow... he’s really gotten you used to him~ What about his knot, though?”

“N-not since Master bred me... worried too deep might harm Master’s eggs.” Ren managed to gasp out. Asp felt himself bottoming out even as she said that, his knot’s swell just kissing at Ren’s folds. He also felt Ren tremble and her tunnel drooling around him: she was almost as soaked as she had been in her season. Given how stretched she was, she could only grip at his length inside of her so much, even as he pulled back and those spines and ridges hit all the right points inside of her to make Ren moan out. Asp did look out of the corner of his eye to make sure the soundproofing formula was lit up before thrusting back into her.

“I’ll just have to watch my stud breed his siren again~” Dria said... Before Asp heard her yelp and moan; he was about to stop working up to his rhythm, worried for a moment, before he heard Ren make swallowing sounds. She’d buried Dria’s length, which had been pressing against her, in her muzzle. Asp shifted a little; Ren’s neck had to contort a little to pull this maneuver off. He got an appreciative purring moan and squeeze around his length as a thank you, though he couldn’t tell if that was because he’d pushed back into his siren’s depths or not. “O-Okay, she is not fair with that tongue~” Dria purred. Her own licked at Asp’s knot a bit, making him shiver and really start to hump his gravid isle partner in earnest, his claws gripping at the moss covered-stone beneath them. Much to Ren’s delight. Asp knew Dria was watching his dark-fleshed member drive into Ren’s pale-scaled underbelly: he could feel her nose rubbing against Ren just a little.

It didn’t take long, with how small and tight Ren was, for Asp to feel the warm, constant pleasure start to build and feel more intense, though it only fueled him. He lost focus around the time he felt Ren start to orgasm around him, the way her walls tried to grip at his spined length and her cum forced out around his length each time. He finally sunk his tip as deep as he dared to go, feeling it just probe into her cervix’s opening and faintly registering her squeak and tensing up as the first bit of his knot stretched her all the more. He let out a roar and unleashed a considerable load, though Dria’s tongue joining in only made him pump that much more into his already egg-filled siren.

“Hmm... quite the show... think I can get an encore?” Dria purred; Ren yelped slightly in protest, but Asp only chuckled and started to do just that. This time, though, Dria’s tongue wrapped around his full length, joining Ren’s walls in massaging and squeezing at him. Asp felt her tongue settle between his ridges and beneath his spines, keeping them permanently raised and made his cock pull her tongue into Ren with each thrust. Ren only moaned out and squirmed, though Asp felt his own hinds go weak when he felt Dria’s tongue tease just beneath the tip of his length while he rutted his siren ontop of her. It wasn’t long before Asp pumped another significant load inside of Ren, most of both loads winding up cushioning their eggs, though some of Dria’s tongue work caused Ren’s tunnel to be drenched in Asp’s cum as well. At some point, Asp realized, Ren had brought Dria to climax at least once, if not twice... that additional tongue had really distracted him.

“Your turn~” Asp growled to the golden drame; he saw Ren seemed to be at her limit: the blue drame’s eyes were half lidded and her muzzle leaked Dria’s seed a little and she made no move to clean herself. He pulled himself out of her, Ren only whimpering at the feeling of, well, emptiness. As Asp stepped back, Dria gently helped position Ren onto her back in the nest.

“So fulllll...” Ren groaned out. Her barely noticeable swell had turned into a much more significant one, now. Nobody could miss it, at least.

“I know, I know, just relax~” Dria purred. And then, while Asp watched, she dove muzzle first into Ren’s seed-filled snatch. Ren squealed weakly and squirmed. Asp chuckled, finding the scene so amusing he almost missed Dria’s invitation of lifting her tail for him. He gave her dramefolds a few licks, though that was hardly necessary: Ren’s saliva and Dria’s arousal made the gold drame nice and thoroughly soaked. Asp did it more so he could try and get a hint of Dria’s heat: there were faint notes of it with him this close to the source of that scent.

Enough of it, at least, to make his somewhat awake breeder’s fetish wake up entirely and he found himself still achingly hard after two climaxes, his body more than happy and capable enough to keep producing seed. He took up position behind Dria, easily sliding into her warmer depths and letting out a growl; she let out a loud, needy moan into Ren’s passage as her own clamped down on him. Ren giggled tiredly, but she drew her talon along Asp’s head as he nuzzled against her bloated belly. “Hmm... try to make her just as big, Master~” Ren purred out, almost drunkenly. Asp just smirked and nodded, hips not being near as gentle with Dria. The golden-drame didn’t mind, though. She just adjusted her stance, widening it so that Asp could properly rut her with thumps of scaled flesh hitting each other. Asp heard her claws scratching at the ground as she tried to focus on eating Ren out, so Asp made it a game to make it as hard as he could for her. He dropped his weight a bit, letting his length grind along that pressure point they talked about in class while his spines petted and tugged at ever sweet spot he could hit at that angle. Meanwhile, he nuzzled into Ren’s belly while the panting, moaning blue drame played her talons across his head. Occasionally, her back arched and she let out a squeal as her wings and ribbons flared, but she just relaxed and enjoyed the nuzzles. Asp brought his hips forward, riding the crest of an orgasm and threatening to tie Dria to him; the drame tried, her convulsing folds pushing back and spreading around his knot. He’d let her get to the widest point before pulling back and making her whine.

“D-Dammit, stud, knot me and breed me properly~” She growled back. Asp leaned down, huffing against her ear before he bit against her neck more properly than he ever had before. Dria stiffened and arched, angling her hips down and Asp’s own went with them. He started to hammer his hips against her rear, making her snarl in a wild pleasure; she hadn’t let that kind of sound out before. “O-Oh Luminescence, how can you keep going~?” Dria groaned, her wings flaring out. She abandoned her attempt to eat Ren out, who looked both peeved and relieved. She, with very shaky legs, stood up and moved behind them, purring at the sight.

“Master, you seem to want to breed Dria until she cannot walk~” Ren purred out.

“D-Don’t give him ideas, Ren! Al-already about out of steam as is~” Dria purred; her tunnel was a convulsing mess at this point, each squeeze against his hammering spire just making a jolt rebound throughout his body and build more and more pressure up just behind his knot. He just managed to register Ren’s talons helping spread Dria further for his knot, to the golden drame’s pleasure and protest. Each thrust worked him deeper and deeper into her already cum filled body until, at last, her folds swallowed his knot and he let out a roar and jet of flame. He wasn’t quite sure when his wings had flared out, either... They were starting to ache a bit. Rope after virile rope pumped into the panting, purring golden drame-herm beneath him, fighting with the Drameshield in her system, and unknown to the three of them, winning two more eggs from her heat. “Da-dammit... you definitely got at least one more egg out of me, stud~ P-please tell me you’re out.”

“I-I... well, maybe I could go another round once my knot’s down.” Asp half-joked. He was tired, sure, but his body was still willing. Dria whined and Ren laughed.

“Myra cannot get here soon enough!” Dria groaned. She managed to pull them into the nest proper, despite being knotted and her belly bloated out with seed almost as much as Ren’s was. The small blue drame joined them, though, with her body offered as a pillow. Asp welcomed the chance to fall asleep against her egg-filled form after he sent magic out to turn out the lights in the room. And given Sryl didn’t say anything in the morning, Asp could only guess the soundproofing worked.

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

The day before the mandatory class of the third cycle began, their order from the bazaar came in. They stored the nesting materials in one of the smaller caverns off of the workshop area as well as about half the farm seeds. And then Asp’s day became all about tilling those fields and then planting the berry shrubs and fruit trees on the top of their cliffside. The stream had done a great job of keeping the surrounding ground more soil than rock. The poison seeds were stored while most of the pheromone blocker seeds were planted; the rest were analyzed and their details added to Asp’s ever growing pile of notes. Asp also set up a couple of the tea barrels in the large den, filled with steeping Deerflame tea; another one was filled with steeping Drameshield... just in case. The other two were left alone for now.

The fish were interesting; they came apparently flash frozen in tanks made of ice that melted away underwater. And Ren had picked up some underwater plant packages as well general insect population packages. It wasn’t long before their isle had an entire ecosystem going, really. Asp was mildly disappointed there was a small number of bees, but he was told they could order more as well as a beekeeping set-up at the same store.

The books, thankfully, came in chests that they didn’t have to give back. Asp realized they’d probably need to set aside a library area or make a room for one at some point.

Dria, though... she was both extremely happy and somewhat upset about her gift-set of carving blocks, but Asp refused to return them: she’d done quite a bit of work, after all. And he wanted to get her something, anyways. She set them in the same storage areas as the books for now, though. Bertuzza also arrived with the cycle objectives as well as commissions for Asp: official ones for the counter agent to the potential pollen problem as well as a solution to make the Meke flowers’ effect permanent. The objectives seemed a bit odd, this time, though:

Expand Your Isle by One Tile

Add a dock to at least One Tile

Sell product to a merchant

Design a Personal Sigil

Design an Isle Sigil

Design an Isle Substance

Choose a formal Isle Arch Ruler (Patriarchal or Matriarchal)

One of those objectives had been completed... quite a bit already. And he was already planning on... three more. At some point they’d stop giving him points, right? His isle was less of an isle and more of an island already.

“Huh... what are the Sigils about? And substance?” Dria asked Bertuzza. The gryphon hen nodded.

“While this will be covered tomorrow, there is a major change in how the point system will be working: an isle and each member of that isle will have separate totals. That’s really all I understand.” Asp tilted his head as he worked through that... that was a lot of work... unless.

“Oh, I guess that’s what got Kastri so excited then... combining blood-runes for security with some way to change values... or even just personalized catalyst recipes.” Asp mused outloud. Dria had checked in on Kastri a few times; the indigo had been hard at work and Dria at least made sure the now early-gravid drame remembered to take care of herself more regularly. Fai checked in on her, too.

“There was some talk about that, yes. I didn’t really understand it, though. Gryphons didn’t really mess with rune magic all that much.” Bertuzza said. “Also, do you four need time to choose your Arch Ruler?”

“Yea-”

“Nope!”

“No.”

“Nah.”

Asp looked at his isle family with a raised eyebrow. They just looked at him, all fairly deadpan, but he sighed and nodded. “Fine, I guess not.” Asp said. “It’s not that big a job, I hope?”

“Hmm... not particularly, I think? There’s a monthly meeting and you’ll be responsible for your isle’s account.” Bertuzza said. “Which does mean we’ll need your approval to use those points.” Asp nodded while he thought about it; he could set up some sort of system where others write down what they need each phase or something easily enough.

“Then yeah, it sounds like something I can do.” Asp said. Dria nuzzled him to reassure him while Bertuzza wrote that down.

“Alright, you can present the sigils and the substance whenever. We do ask it not contain any isle member’s bodily fluids, though.” Asp guessed that made sense. Though... why hadn’t they specified blood? Asp was going to have to ask Kastri about that one.

“The last thing, then, is to approve two formal applications to join your isle from drames currently in the dorms. As well as two more incoming participants.” Bertuzza said, fishing out the papers. Asp only had to glance to see it was Kastri and Fai’s forms: Asp guessed Fai was getting a headstart on the paperwork.

“Yeah, that will be okay... approved? I dunno the right word.” Asp said. He was thankful there was some sort of approval process, though. “But incoming participants?”

“Yes; this will be an option later, but it was suggested that we show these two to you now.” Bertuzza said. Asp couldn’t even imagine who’d suggest such a thing, but... One was Myra’s file. Including her full title as Matriarch-to-be. That was a bit surprising, but Asp guessed it would come out sooner or later. That was an easy approval, though. It even mentioned that she would be exempt from challenges to ‘poach’ her away, whatever that meant.

The other though... that one surprised him. Ji’cyl was coming as a participant? His childhood friend was a Verdant who often took the shape of a wolf.

“A Verdant, huh?” Dria said, looking the page over. “Oh! Li’red’s daughter! She should be fine, yeah.” Asp shook his head a bit.

“I... wanna talk to Li’red about that one a bit. I mean...” Asp looked pointedly between Dria and Ren. Ren nodded and Dria just shrugged.

“So what’s another co-mate?” Dria asked, which only made Asp cough in surprise as the golden drame-herm wandered off to look at her new carving blocks.

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

The mandatory class was, mostly, about Isle Construction and the Primsarc Program going forward as they opened the gates, as it were. It was taught in the Auditorium on the ground floor since the class was definitely more of a lecture than a demonstration.

Toriltide was teaching it, aided by Visarune and another Shade dragon who were providing visual aids. There was a lot of talk about considering different Kyn and Wilds’ needs and desires if you wanted to attract them to your isle. And the more who lived on your isle, the more of a point income you had. Asp had Ren and Dria with him in the booth, Ren lying with her back pressed against him so he could idly rub against her belly while they listened and she took notes. Dria provided a rather comfortable counter cushion for them both despite how solid she was. It was rather cozy with the three of them; Fai and Kastri were in one next to them while Sryl, who didn’t need to be there (well, neither did Fai, Kastri, or Dria, but they wanted to be), was hunting and tending to the farm; he seemed to find farming quite interesting, at least.

Here, they learned about the dock mentioned in their objectives: it was, essentially, the sign that said your isle was ready for newcomers. But the isle’s Patriarch or Matriarch (and really, the titles were just whichever made a dragon feel more confident or in charge; they’d apparently agreed long ago “ruler” was just too bland) was responsible for developing the isle to meet a bare standard of care within two weeks of any newcomer’s arrival. This meant food, water, shelter, and hygiene had to be at a certain standard and easily accessible. There would also routine boat routes too and from the citadel for those Kyn and Wilds who could not swim or fly to the place for lectures they might want to attend. Asp noted of the twelve isles, only 7 were potentially included: this was also the first time he’d seen a map of the isles. And given where he approximated Dria and Sryl’s old isle to be, the other 4 that were excluded were likely abandoned as well. It was an odd word to imagine, but it fit.

As far as other construction was concerned: carpenters were available for a fee. As were designers. Materials could be sourced form anywhere. They did state that the quick grown trees for the forest biomes were good for temporary lodgings, but they did tend to rot faster unless reinforced with a Green’s hardening or processed in some way. Asp figured that made sense: they had less structure than normal plants or even the stage grown variants of the same type. Any injuries would be handled harshly if it was found that isle-based construction was the reason for it.

Most new participants would wind up staying in the dorms, potentially using the rotating boats to tour isles they might want to live on. There is an option for newcomers to submit applications to isles they wanted to join before they even arrived, likely based on communication or links with those already there. An isle was free to refuse, of course, to take in anyone they thought might be a problem or that they might not be able to provide for. Asp let out a sigh of relief, Ren nuzzling against him lightly when she heard that. He was already setting up some sort of committee in his head or at least an interview process. There would also be an inspection team every couple of phases that inspect built and carved areas for safety reasons. There would be a team who would come around during the next cycle to get their personal designs and blood to create the rune.

Next on the list was the sigil system and the change to the point system. As Asp guessed, the blood-catalyst rune discovery was being used for this. It basically broke down that each participant would be given the ability to access their account through their personal sigil; Arch rulers would also get access to the Isle’s account through a similar system. Merchants were getting a way to create a conduit between the record system and the bracers, deducting totals from accounts directly. Asp tried to imagine the formula to enable that... he could almost get it, he thought. The isle substance was a similar security measure used for the Isle’s account; Arch Rulers were supposed to keep it’s formula secret. Bodily fluids were not to be part of it since an Arch Ruler could be switched if need be.

With that, the presentation was finished and they were dismissed; Asp spotted Wryt and told Ren and Dria what he wanted to order for lunch before catching up with the indigo.

“Hey, Wryt!” He swore he heard a very faint snarl.

“Asporyx, is there something you need?”

“A couple of things, actually.” First, Asp described his rune-formulation for trying to improve his combination formula, essentially detailing it... though as he talked it out, he started to envision the solution more and more. When he was done, though, Wryt was nodding.

“That sounds doable, but you are right: there seems to be something that stops us from combining things. I do think it is a lack of structure or data, as well. It’s a matter of trying to display all that data in a manageable way. The system you’re talking about would require... a number of new runes, though.” Asp nodded with a sigh.

“I know. And... a considerable amount of space, I imagine. And magic.”

“True, there is that. What was the other thing!”

“Oh! Was wondering if you could introduce me to Caeludyl?” Wryt furrowed his brow but nodded.

“Yes, I could; he’s actually moved to my isle now.” Asp raised an eyebrow. “He doesn’t want to bother with managing one, like me, and he said he had other reasons as well.” Wryt’s wings rose and fell with a shrug. “I can have him come with me when we work on that alchemy formula, alright?”

“Sounds good... any estimate on just how much catalyst we might need for this?”

“... A lot. For one attempt.” Asp grimaced. “It would be beneficial, no? To be able to do more precise work?”

“Yeah, yeah... let’s see... the builders have been pretty fast...” Asp said. “Three days sound good?”

“That should work, yes. I’ll want to check on how Kastri is settling in as well.” Asp nodded while the indigo headed out. Asp went and found his friends, sitting between Dria and Fai to chow down on his lunch after relaying Wryt’s plan to visit.

“Then we should decide how to expand our isle for new participants.” Ren said. She suggested a forest tile they could turn into lumber, though Asp did have an idea he wanted to ask the expansion team about: if they planted stage-growth saplings, he could grow them himself over the next cycle and how much that would effect the price. Ren made a note of that, as well as going ahead to expand the field as a food buffer. There were about to be four extremely hungry dragons on that isle in the upcoming cycles after all, though the three at the table looked to Fai with a raised eyebrow. She just blushed and huffed, hiding behind her wing and Asp’s head. Asp was not sure if that meant there would be a fifth or not; though he was surprised when a part of him wanted to. It wasn’t the breeder instinct in him; that had been put to sleep last night for the next few days at least. It was the part that cared for Fai/Myra... and definitely got the idea that usually got her so excited: curiosity of what their kids would look like and be able to do.

Not you too! Fai groaned in his head. Her empathetic talent must have kicked in and she’d guessed right.

Sorry, sorry. I’m perfectly fine with waiting, of course. She nodded against the back of his head.

“Also... I think I do want that buffer tile... probably stage grown as well.” Asp said, pointing out on their basic map where he meant. “If we carve out the underside, it could be a safe place to grow the more risky plants in planters. It’d need both ventilation and filtration rune-work, though. And decontamination.”

“How high would it need to be?” Asp hmmed as he thought about that.

“Two stories should be enough, right? I’m not planning some water system up there, after all.”

“We might as well make it two medium caverns then; I am sure you will spend nights out there and I would rather you have a nest you can retreat to out of the way.” Asp was about to protest Ren’s assertion, but Fai and Dria both side-eyed him and he knew he wouldn’t win. Plus, it’s not like Ren was wrong.

“Alright, alright.” Asp relented. “Ugh... we really gotta figure out a way to produce our own catalyst...”

“I thought you could make your own?” Dria asked.

“The plant-based one doesn’t last near as long. I’ve heard hardening can make it last longer than just drying it, but... my particular type of hardening would just wind up destroying it. The mineral-based one is a lot more durable. So for more permanent fixtures, I’d much rather use that. I guess my experiment with Wryt could use the plant based one, though I don’t have near enough ingredients for how much we’d need to test it.” They all looked at him and he shrugged. “Just... refining the combination formula, essentially.” Kastri’s eyes went wide and she looked really excited. Seeing her reminded him, though... “Hey, how are the totals of our accounts being updated and stored?”

“Nope, hold it... okay, blanket rule given our growing group: no interest talks while we’re eating.” Dria said with a huff. “We’ll wind up buying dinner here if you two get started on rune magic, after all.” Ren had to nod in agreement; the other three of them there just looked embarrassed. “Besides, you wanted to go talk to Li’red, remember?”

“Oh, I remember... just dreading it. Kinda awkward to talk about my concerns with him as her father, even if he was mentor and... I guess kinda like my uncle?” Asp said.

“I find it better to get the... awkward conversations out of the way. Master.” She said very pointedly. Kastri and Fai both started choking on the last scraps of their meal.

“Okay, you’re explaining it this time, but at least being here is now... equally embarrassing,” Asp said. He nuzzled all three drames he was close to, giving Ren a lick on the nose in thanks, before he headed to the bazaar and Li’red’s shop.

“Thymeris?” Came Li’red’s voice when he entered the store. Asp had to furrow his brow at that one: it was an obscure one he knew he should know, and some faint details were on the edge of his consciousness, but he couldn’t quite grasp them. As a result, he wound up having to help around the shop while the Verdant gave him a thorough lecture on the plant in question. Essentially, it was an anesthetic that altered perception of time, making it seem to pass extremely slowly. It did have some fairly addictive aspects to it, which explained why Asp didn’t remember it: he’d made it a point to not work with anything that could become too addictive. His toxin seemed to amplify them... a lot. The lecture and the work around the shop did help steady his nerves a bit, though.

“Alright, so what did bring you here? Ji’cyl’s application, if I had to guess?” Asp nodded, his head resting on the counter. “What’s your concern?”

“I just... she knows it won’t be like home, right? There’s a lot of others around... others I’m really close with.” Asp said. “It feels like I’m inviting my sister into my already overwhelmingly active nest.” Li’red raised an eyebrow at that. “Dria and her... friend... Kastrimri are with us now as well, and Dria’s isle partner. Another’ll be there, too.”

“I know all about Drame Fai’s situation.” Li’red intoned. Asp blinked and lifted his head in surprise, suddenly a whole different apprehensive about the panthera-formed Verdant. “If I’m looking out for you, I fully intend to know who’s around. Besides, she’s been at some of your father’s events out of disguise.” Asp hadn’t known that, though he only belatedly remembered... all three of his partners acting as if they at least knew his father somewhat. Asp was used to it, though, given his father was the Green Patriarch. “As for your worries... I’m fairly confident in saying that Ji’cyl sees your relationship as much closer than you imagine. Most siblings your ages wouldn’t still nap together like you two did, after all.” Asp tilted his head; he’d often fallen asleep curled around the wolf-like verdant after he’d gotten wrapped up in his experiments for an extended period of time. “And most Verdants aren’t like myself and Po’lana; mateship is pretty rare for us. So, while she certainly cares, I do not know if she cares in that way. Though, as her father, I doubt she would actually tell me. And even if she does, so what?”

“... You’re about as helpful as Dria was.” Asp grumbled. “No overprotective father routine?”

“I could, but honestly... you’re a verdant’s worst nightmare, Asp.” Asp blinked. “You’re immune to our main method of combat, poison. And your toxinist nature means your breath magic works oddly on plants, right?”

“Then... why? Why tutor me? Why let Jice even near me?”

“Your curiosity and obsession to learn. Those herb tests were meant to discourage you, you know. They discourage most who come looking to be a student.” Li’red laughed. “But you were insistent.”

“It was adorable~!” Asp perked up, hearing a voice. A Verdant with what Asp could only describe as a matronly owl-shape flew out from the back room; she was roughly only a little bigger than Li’red’s head. “Such a small, young drake barely bigger than myself.”

“Po'lana!” Asp said.

“It’s good to see you, Asp, dear.” The owl said musically; unlike Li’red favoring of vines, she favored leafy plants that gave her a plumage like appearance. “Just here to scope the store out before our official move. And as to your question, please consider just how sad Ji’cyl will be if you don’t let her stay at your isle!” Okay, Po’lana knew where to hit him where it hurt, apparently.

“But... gah, fine. I just really don’t want it to be all awkward.” Asp said with a grumble.

“Hmm... I can understand that... you do have your isle partner to worry about, now, in particular.” Po’lana said.

“And Dria... and I guess Kastri?” They both looked at him, astonished... and ready to reprimand. “Whoa, whoa, Kastri’s just a friend, for now. But she is considerably more gravid than her and her mating partner expected. But she is coming to my isle.”

“But why? Wouldn’t she be better off with her partner?”

“But I am there!” He heard Dria say; the golden drame-herm had slipped into the shop while they were talking. It took Li’red a couple of moments to realize the scope of things before nodding in understanding.

“Interesting... I’d heard about some dragons being hermaphroditic...” Dria blushed but nodded. “Excuse me, Dame Dria, was just a bit surprised is all. I hadn’t expected to have already met one. Though, yes, Asp, I do believe that you should worry about Kastri as well if you’ve put her partner in a similar state as Drame Elrenlani.”

“O-oh, nothing so extreme, thankfully... We did kinda learn the limits of Drameshield, though.” Dria told the Verdants.

“That’s your new herb, right? So it doesn’t help your problem?” Asp figured Li’red must’ve mentioned it to Po’lana.

“It... seems to help the result, at least? It still needs to be properly tested by a... number of pairings that doesn’t involve me or Dria at this point, though.” Asp nuzzled the top of his consort’s head and smiled when she nuzzled back. “But it doesn’t help the main problems by a long shot. I would, ideally, like to mate for pleasure and not, at least partially, to keep sane. Or even just comfortable.”

“Oh, I’ve always envied the ability to actually mate...” Po’lana sighed with a coo. Dria tilted her head a bit.

“You have a daughter, right?”

“Verdants are... well, we are plants, dear. So we really only connect, if at all, on an emotional level. As for our daughter, we do occasionally produce ‘cores’ that seem to be made of magic containing a few of our elemental traits. Those cores can then be combined to make a seed that then grows.” Po’lana explained. “It’s not like we have nervous systems, after all.” Dria just blinked a few times and huffed. Asp raised an eyebrow.

“What? I may not be Fai, but even I’m curious what a Dragon/Verdant child might look like~” Dria said. Asp quickly covered her muzzle with his wing, though Po’lana just laughed. Li’red didn’t seem fazed by it either.

“Relax, dear~” Po’lana said.

“There have been attempts over the years to try it, and even legends of a few successes before recorded history, but as you’ve summarized, Drame Dria, nothing seems to bear fruit, if you’ll pardon the double entendre.” Li’red said. Dria did manage to stifle a laugh even as she shook her head.

“Yes, for a while Ji’cyl was quite interested in that topic.” Po’lana said. Asp... had not been aware of that. Now he felt bad about even considering rejecting her proposal to join.

“Given everything else Asp has figured out, I bet he could~” Dria teased, mostly aiming it at Asp. He just nipped at her lightly... even if his mind was racing through ideas. Nothing that seemed... right, though. It felt like infusing a core of Jice’s with his own magic wouldn’t be right if there had been failed attempts before.

“He is already getting that distracted look in his eyes, yes. Focus on your pollen problem first, though, Asp.” Asp nodded, somewhat abashed. “So, what brought you here, Drame Dria?”

“Oh, just making sure Asp doesn’t get too hung up on things. And to let him know we put the order in for the expansion.”

“Expanding already?” Po’lana trilled.

“Expanded and expanding, it seems. We will have to take a look when Ji’cyl gets here. I do have to ask what kind of set-up you might have, so far as forests go?” And Asp explained what they had, both now and planned.

“Sounds quite lovely, particularly the orchard and the garden.” Po’lana said. Asp did like that side of the isle; it felt cozy to him.

“And you seem to have a good plan in place for working with poisons, so that’s good to hear. I will admit I was a bit worried you might be careless.”

“If he was, Ren wouldn’t be.” Dria said. “She seems... weirdly happy with everything right now compared to how she had been. I guess confronting most of her worst-case scenarios did the trick...And Asp probably made a lot of that much better. He’s too sweet for his own good.” Dria nuzzled beneath his head and purred. “Honestly, we might have to try and get him to be a bit more jaded.”

“Quite likely, it seems. Ji’cyl did always balance him out in that regard. Though, she might be too wary at times, so keep an eye out for that.”

“H-hey, I can be plenty skeptical!” Asp grumbled. “But a certain pair of drames are a little too persistent at getting what they want.”

“Ugh, don’t remind me.” Dria grumbled, leaning against him. “Honestly, I still want to go curl up back at the nest...” Asp just cleared his throat and bowed his head to the Verdants in thanks for talking with him before retreating with his wing around Dria. Particularly before Po’lana could get clarification on that: she did have a reputation about gossip after all.