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Asporyx, a dragon who’s scales were so dark and metallic they seemed black until the light hit them at the right angle, stopped breathing out his growing breath for the trees on the new tiles of the isle he shared with his Isle Partner, a rather small blue drame named Elrenlani. She was currently resting on one of the isle lagoon’s islands beneath a growing fruit grove she’d requested put there. Given she was growing heavier by the day with their large clutch of eggs, Asp was inclined to let his siren rest as much as she wanted. He shook himself out a bit, the dragon having used the most magic he had in a while on the new tiles: the trees planted on them only came up to his head after three days and were designed to be grown in stages by Green Dragons like Asp.

By the time he was finished, he launched himself off the tile and glided to the ground a fair distance below when he heard Srylumdar, a red/orange drake-herm helix, let out a meal call for lunch. He was essentially the isle’s chef, though the only thing he had to work with was a basic hot-top slab that seared. Sryl used his talent with temperature control to cook things to the perfection, though he had a limited set of tools to work with for now. Asp hoped that would change here soon with Zecerwryt bringing over a blacksmith drake. He was an indigo drake who Asp wanted to consult with for some ideas he’s had for rune magic in general.

Kastrimri, Wryt’s twin sister, was getting settled in her new room; she was moving to the isle so she could have a quieter place to pursue her own study on rune magic mechanics. Wryt excelled in the actual formulas while Kastri’s expertise was in the principles behind why those worked and applying them to new ideas. Rune Magic was still in its infancy of rediscovery: it was a long-lost art-form discovered somewhat towards the mid point of the Territory Wars, but a lot of research had been about weaponizing what little knowledge they had. Kastri was also on their isle because the golden drame-herm who put six eggs in her belly was here as well: Enoldria was currently helping her furnish her room with carved-in book-cases. Kastri’d spent... a lot of points on books when she lived in the dorms and had brought them all with her on a raft earlier that morning. And she hadn’t been joking: she had a crate and a half of them with her.

Asp landed just by the ramp up to the second level of the ‘caverns’, though he went through the entrance to the lower level right by him. Sryl had been testing out potential locations for a proper ‘kitchen’ and, today, he’d set up right up against the back of the ramp, which was a solid piece of rock. Dria did say she could carve a little into it without harming the structural integrity that could work as a storage space for cookware. It wasn’t too far from the farmland, either, so water wouldn’t be an issue. Most importantly, it was near one of the storage caverns they’d had carved and Dria had carefully expanded in her downtime. They planned to use it to store harvested food.

“How’s this spot working out, Sryl?”

“Pretty good... now just need to figure out how I want to set up walls...” Sryl said. “How much space can I get?”

“I mean...” Asp flared his wings: the lower level had been carved out quite a bit, the second level supported by hyper-dense and hardened pillars. “Don’t take too much, but we’ve got plenty of space. And don’t take up too little; there’s a pretty good chance you wouldn’t be the only one using it, after all.” The Prismarc Program they, and thirty-one other dragons, were participants in was preparing to accept a whole lot more participants at the beginning of the next cycle. Asp was already getting a new isle member, a Verdant named Ji’cyl, who was his childhood friend.

“True enough, I guess.” Sryl said as he looked around. “And I am only going to get more... cumbersome.” He grumbled. Sryl was a herm, like Dria, though a different variant: one that was only virile or fertile as opposed to Dria who was both. Sryl, unlike his self-identity as a drake, was only fertile and had had an intense enough heat that he’d asked Dria for help as his isle partner. Which left him with a growing clutch as well.

“Just hang in there and let me know what I can do to help,” Even as Asp said it, he winced: he... really didn’t know how to help Sryl. He didn’t dislike the drake, but they’d gotten off on a really bad talon: the heat that led to Sryl’s current clutch was triggered by Asp’s... pheromones, he guessed, during a particularly pent-up release as part of an anatomy lesson all the dragons had been required to attend.

“Yeah, yeah, you’ve told me that enough. You can relax, I’m not going to bite your head off or anything.” Sryl said. Asp nodded and grabbed one of the bowls full of roasted meat the red-orange helix had set out and settled somewhere to eat. After lunch, he was going to be working with Kastri and Wryt on something... complex. Asp had a number of ideas swirling around in his head and none of them were quite taking form. He’d also spent the last couple of days creating a significant supply off plant-based catalyst for their experiments. He’d agreed to let Wryt take whatever was left over and make both him and Kastri quite a bit more for their work. If this experiment worked, though, Asp would be able to make a lot more complex hybrids than he had been. On purpose instead of his mix-and-match brute force approach (which Asp admitted was fun, but he wanted his pollen problem fixed).

His problem had... three aspects to it, as far as he’d identified. First was that he could kickstart estrus in others with his seed. They didn’t have to come into direct contact with it, either, just be near it: Sryl and a pale, dark green drame named Nyferona, who was Wryt’s isle partner, had confirmed this. The second part was, well, his body slowly built up the need to mate. When he described it to Fai, she said it wasn’t unlike heat, though less intense in that the build up to the ‘must mate stage’ was much more subtle (which, honestly, scared the hell out of Asp for drames). The third part of his problem was that, potentially, mating with him temporarily heightened a drame’s fertility. It was how Ren had ended up with nine eggs to grow inside her small form, or at least part of it. The other reasons were, well, not considered an immediate problem: his own virility, both production and potency wise, and just how long he could go. The Golden Leaves trees, designed to enhance all species health and reproductive urges, and their pollen had essentially interacted with his specialist nature as a toxinist to turn him into an alarmingly powerful breeding stud.

Asp was joined in lunch by Kastri and Dria; Ren liked fishing and often ate later than they did, though she did ask Sryl to cook her catches. He was eager to talk to Kastri about the experiment, but Dria, who was his consort and probably going to be a part of his family in the future, had laid out a rule about that a few days ago. So, instead, Asp moved to a different topic.

“How’re you settling in, Kastri?”

“Good! The room’s not much different than it was in the dorm, but now that I can customize it with Dria’s help, it’s becoming downright cozy... and functional. I’ve got a desk right by the nest area and so many bookshelves!” Kastri purred excitedly.

“Not sure if we can fit anymore in there, either. Not without it going from cozy to cramped.” Dria said; her voice was somewhat rough. A common side effect of a dragon who’s used a lot of breath magic. He nuzzled along her neck and beneath her jaw, licking lightly. “I’m fine, Asp... though doubt I’d be up for any oral fun in the next few hours~”

“After the other night? I can still go at least another day or two before I start feeling worked up.” Asp said.

“Oh, I’ll bet; Ren and I were still bloated the next morning!” Dria huffed. “I wouldn’t be surprised if you got another egg or two out of me with that. At least... I hope that’s all... I swear you can see Ren get bigger by the day now. Not that you seem to mind; I’m always waking up to seeing you use her belly as a pillow.” She neglected to mention she woke up wrapped up in his limbs and wings, though. Asp snorted a little; he did find Ren’s gravid from really pleasant. And the thought of Dria like that... he had to shift his hind legs a little.

“Y-yeah, well, just wait until it’s your belly...” Asp tried to tease; he should’ve known better by now.

“Ooh... my stud seems to have a gravidity fetish~ Bet you’ll even find Kastri sexy even when she’s got my eggs~” Asp nipped at his consort to hide his embarrassment... even if he couldn’t deny her. “Or even Sryl~” Asp had to think about that. Despite Sryl’s voice being more masculine, and his identifying as a drake more than a drame, his body was rather drame-like, which Asp definitely could appreciate.

“W-watch it or you might not get any sleep tonight, Dree.” Asp growled. Dria and Kastri laughed a bit at that while they ate and relaxed from their morning work. “Do you need anything, though?” He asked Kastri.

“Hmm... besides more books? Not particularly. Indigos are pretty used to rocky nests with us living in the mountains and all. That might change as I get bigger, though.” Asp nodded.

“We have some nesting materials, but if you need anything in particular, please let me know.” Asp said. Dria leaned against him with an appreciative purr. He was nuzzling against her when he saw a few dragons land between the caverns and the growing fields.

The first was Wryt while the other was Nyfe. The third dragon, though, Asp didn’t know. He was a vivid, though pale, matte red drake. He had to assume this was Caeludyl, the blacksmith Asp had asked to meet. He’d made a rather strong collar that was part of a punishment for a drake who’d been a worry of Asp’s... close ones? It felt cheap to call Ren, Fai, and Dria ‘friends’ but it felt loaded to say loved ones. Particularly in Ren’s case: their relationship was... odd. And they weren’t officially family...

“Patrician Asp?” Nyfe asked. He shook his head; he’d gone down a tangent in his thoughts.

“Sorry, Nyfe. Just... got caught up thinking on something. What’s up?”

“Just asking if I could take a look around? See how you’ve got this place set-up?”

“By all means. Uh, be careful with the caverns by the Gardens, though. The left side’s my poison lab. And talk to Ren about what she’s got planned.” Asp told her. While she was a green and likely resistant, she wouldn’t be immune like he was. He and Kastri had set up a number of rune formulas to isolate the lab, though. She nodded and started to wander around; Dria went with her. Asp couldn’t help but notice how Caeludyl looked after her.

“So, Asporyx, I’d like to get to work on what you were talking about, but Bylinvu insisted on waiting until she got here.” Bylinvu was part of the Prismarc staff as a professor; she was also a rune magic researcher and had chronicled a lot of Asp, Wryt, and Kastri’s work the past couple of cycles. “Might be a good time to talk with Caeludyl, though.”

“True, and it’s good to meet you. I’m Asporyx, son of the Green Patriarch.” Asp said. “And Enoldria’s consort.” He added, given he saw how the red drake was looking at her.

“Caeludyl, and my parents are just crafters.” Caeludyl said. “And sorry, I didn’t mean to stare. She is the reason I wanted to come here, though.” Asp raised an eyebrow at that; red dragons were monogamous for the most part. While he wasn’t... too opposed to sharing Dria while she was gravid, he was a bit surprised to hear that kind of sentiment... “I wanted to ask her if she could introduce me to one of her sisters somehow.” Well... damn, all the mating had gotten to his brain, hadn’t it?

“Huh, alright then. I’m sure she’ll be back after the rune experiment. Or you could catch up with her and Nyfe. Honestly, I just wanted to ask if we could get cookware from you?”

“A little... basic compared to stuff I usually make, but yeah. You would be responsible for sourcing the material, though. Unless you want to pay more?” Asp shook his head. “And Wryt says this experiment could have interesting results with metals, so it’s not like I’m not interested in this working. For exact details, though, I need to know what you need.”

“Sryl’ll be able to tell you that... and probably feed you. He’s over there.” Asp motioned towards the red-orange drake.

“Was wondering where I was smelling roasted deer from...” Caeludyl said. “I wish I could cook better; we’ve only got raw and burnt. Can’t control low temperatures for a damn.” He said while making his way over to the temporary ‘kitchen’ area. Wryt grabbed an extra bowl of food and joined him and Kastri.

“So, how is your isle expanding, Wryt?” Kastri asked.

“Well, Nyferona figured trying to attract alchemists would be a good idea, so... she’s been wanting to look at Asporyx’s gardens. And creating mountains to try and get materials from.” Unlike Ren, Wryt used their full names with an air of casualty. Kastri was the only one he’d ever heard Wryt call by her nickname. “Beyond that, she seems to want to create a large hunting ground. And training yard since they won’t let her practice or spar at the citadel. Beyond that, I don’t really know. I think we’re slated to get more forests sometime soon.”

“Sounds interesting at least.” Asp said. “I’m guessing she’s your isle’s Matriarch?” Wryt nodded; he didn’t seem like the type to want to bother with it. And, really, Asp hadn’t wanted to, but he also wasn’t about to subject Ren to undo stress. Fai/Myra seemed to be in no hurry to have to deal with administrative tasks, either. He did fully intend to get their advice when he could; they’d been raised for such roles, after all.

“Okay... now that Wryt’s done eating...” Kastri said; Wryt raised an eyebrow. “Dria’s rule: no craft talk while eating. She thinks we wouldn’t get anything done elsewise.” Wryt reluctantly nodded. “Let’s go over the details, even if we can’t actually experiment.”

“Well, first... something’s been tugging at my mind: how, exactly, does the banking formula work? Specifically how does it read and change the balance?” Asp asked Kastri. She looked all proud.

The long and short of it was that the initial amount had to be entered alongside the personal sigil, but from there, a separate formula handled all the number manipulation. Asp tilted his head: that did mean something could read and set the rune.

“Okay, okay, that helps... settle my ideas.” Asp said. Thankfully, Bylinvu landed with Fai and Lytrina not long after the explanation of it. And Fai had brought a not-insignificant amount of pre-mixed catalyst.

“Fai! You didn’t have to bring that...” Asp said, getting up to greet the three of them.

“Think of it as a ‘thank you’ and my move-in present.” Fai said. “I need to be careful about procedures and appearances, after all.” Even so, the two of them nuzzled each other in greeting. He also bowed, respectfully to Lytrina; as Fai’s secondary guardian and bodyguard... Asp wasn’t sure exactly what she would do, but he did know hurting or letting Fai get hurt would result in the violet drame very likely coming after him.

“It’s well timed, though. We were just about to work on something and it would probably run through the last of my pre-mixed stuff. That poison lab took a lot more than I imagined. Thank you.”

“On that note, can we get started? I tend to have to write a lot whenever you three get together.” Bylinvu said. “Even if I’m documenting some other formula or something.”

Fai joined the four of them: Asp had set up a whole area with a couple of barrels of plant-based catalyst and plenty of cut wood disks to work with. Eventually, Asp managed to get through his idea:

His original formula worked by combining two formulas that magically broke down something down, split that magic like light through a prism, and then he connected the two with the reconstruct formula. Wryt’s improvement on it added an analysis to the deconstruction and reconstruction formula. The splitting formula had been integrated to the analysis one in order to make the information more readable (though, how it was translated into something they could understand, Wryt could only guess that it was something in the original ‘display’ rune formula).

“So, Kastri, could we use the bank formula’s principles to read what’s here?” Asp asked, pointing out the analysis block in his on-the-ground sketch he’d drawn with his talon.

“Oh! Oh! I can see what you’re getting at! You’re thinking of layered catalysts to ‘build’ the end product, aren’t you?!” Kastri said. Asp tilted his head.

“... I think so? The idea can’t... quite come together, but that sounds right.” Asp said. “I’m assuming that means you’re starting to see what I’ve been thinking?”

“Yeah, though... it will be harder, magic-control wise. Hell... even magic power-wise... You’re creating something from nothing... unless...”

“We recombine the magic without reconstructing it?” Wryt finished. Kastri nodded. “It will still be difficult without good magic control, but judging by Asporyx’s fight against Dilorphus, not sure we have to worry on that front. We can always refine that later.” Fai had settled beside Asp; he felt her tail hook against his when she did. Asp was surprised how much having her nearby really excited and calmed him at the same time: they’d bonded a lot when working on the pollen problem, though. It’d really gotten to the point like it was with Dria, if not a little more so: if she wasn’t around, something felt... off. Asp was almost relieved that she’d finally gotten Lytrina on board with Fai, and then her as Myra, living on the isle with them.

Kastri and Wryt went to work while Asp helped with the catalyst application, carving a modified deconstruction formula with two catalyst layers. Asp could, in theory, select traits and add them to a ‘new product’ rune. He ‘selected’ traits by activating the layered catalyst that stored them in a new variable that was connected to similar analysis/display system. And then, eventually, would fuel the reconstruction rune: all the magic that was split was stored in another new one as well.

The good news was, well, the idea did work. It was just... took a painstakingly long time and so much info had to be sorted and selected. But given the proof of concept, Bylinvu just gave them all a dirty look before flying off. And while it was only a little difficult for Asp and Fai, both of whom had a biological predisposition towards magic; Wryt and Kastri struggled to keep it up. Fai’s illusion did flicker for a moment, but Kastri and Wryt were too busy looking at the formula, Asp thought, for it to matter.

“Ugh, we need some way to store magical energy.” Kastri said with a gasp; the magically exhausted drame eased herself to lay down.

“I mean... a catalyst in a container fueled by the ambient rune and kept cycling it would be enough, right?” Asp said.

“You’d think, but apparently there’s some... complex... alchemy involved.” Kastri looked at him hopefully. He just sighed.

“I’ll add it to the list, then. If nobody figures it out by the time I get the pollen problem and perma-Meke blossoms done, I’ll work with you on that. But complex in what way?”

“Magical conduction coefficients.” Wryt said. “Apparently there has to be a right balance that nobody’s discovered yet.” Asp nodded with a wince: those were only nebulously understood at best; their own discovery had thrown them into even further question. “But this was certainly productive, even if the general population of dragons will likely need at least a partner for the more complex alchemical formulas.”

Asp nodded, looking at the new Deerflame variant he’d quick grown and it’s properties: it had only the ones he’d selected, for sure: he’d combined them with a heat inducer just as a test against something they’d already tried for him. He’d purposely changed a few things, particularly about it’s appearance, just to test the formula.

“Hmm... I should get proper slabs of these made, though. And a more durable catalyst as the main one.” Asp yawned a bit; he’d used way more magic than he was used to using. He’d never felt this close to feeling drained before, at least. “So sluggish.”

“You are nearly drained,” Fai emphasized with a lick between his horns. He hadn’t realized he’d leaned against her. “As weird as it sounds, no sleeping for the immediate future. You’ll wake up sick if you do.” Asp nodded/nuzzled against her neck. “But glad your idea worked~” Asp nodded in agreement.

“Yeah, now it’s just a matter of trying different things... maybe I’ll try combining all those contraceptives again.” Asp could feel Fai giving him a warning growl. “Tomorrow... after watering the garden and growing the trees.” Fai let out a quiet, worried huff but relented. “Besides, I should go see what Sryl and Caeludyl have worked out.” He moved to get up and felt Fai’s wing holding him down. Kastri and Wryt seemed to get the memo, though, and Kastri took her brother to check out her room. “What’s up?”

“It’s been a bit since we’ve gotten to relax together. Plus, you seem more tired than usual, I’d guess from magic-use.” Fai said. “So... really I just missed you, Asp~” She purred quietly.

“I’ve missed you too, Fai.” He gave her a light lick on the corner of her muzzle. She turned it into a proper kiss, though just as she was about to slip her tongue in when there was a very loud, purposeful throat clear from behind them. Fai growled a little but broke the kiss.

“Yes, Lytrina?” Fai asked; the violet drame moved to stand in front of them.

“Just ensuring you know the ground rules. No mating, particularly with this pollen problem. But even without it...” Lytrina glared at Asp.

“We talked about this, Lytrina.”

“And I know you; I know you’re likely... curious.”

“Even so, it will be a risk I’d choose to take.” Fai said. “If Asp does become my partner and these pollen-induced enhancements are permanent, it will be something we will have to talk about eventually.” Asp connected two and two and his eyes went wide.

“Whoa, whoa! I promise you, I will not pressure her into anything. And even then, I do not want Fai to have to deal with what Ren is going through. Or will go through.”

“Asporyx, you are honestly not the one I’m worried about. Remember, empathetic. I know you care deeply for Drame Myradona and would do nothing to put her at risk. I am much more worried about the Drame herself.”

“Like I said, it will be our choice, Lytrina. I do have personal reasons in addition to the curiosity I have.” Fai said; Asp could see her blushing; he’d be blushing himself if his scales could show it. “But I did promise it won’t happen while I’m still here as Fai, anyways.”

“... I would rather you not take the risk at all, but fine.” Lytrina said before flying off.

“Sorry, Asp; that’s been a daily argument.” Fai said. “And before you start, I am fully aware of the risks of mating with you without the solution to that problem. Particularly close to my heat. But I am curious...” She admitted with a blush. “I mean, Ren could be super fertile and we’re being seriously cautious. And while I could ask Ren how it feels... I will always be curious to know myself, unlike Dria, who seems quite happy to not find out.”

“... I can understand that... I’m still with Lytrina, though.”

“I figured you would be, but I’m also not planning on getting gravid until after Ren has her eggs anyways. Your focus should certainly on her and Dria for now. And Kastri and Sryl, at least as our Patriarch~”

“Thank you for that, love.” He muttered; she squeaked but kissed him. He figured Faistyve/Myradona had said it already, and he was drowsy enough that he wasn’t really worried about being wrong. This time, their tongues really did wrestle a bit before they broke the kiss and just relaxed together.

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

The rest of the third cycle went pretty routinely: Asp’s morning was occupied with growing trees, crops, and tending to his garden. His afternoon was spent with Fai, usually, though instead of working directly with the pollen, she was mostly company and his assistant in building up new hybrids for them to test. The poisons were mostly a bust given Asp’s toxinist nature neutralized them within him, though they did manage to make a few effects stick.

The pheromone blockers, though, did work: they’d managed to find the right herb in Warmcress; it was rare because it caused a heated burning sensation when ingested, but it wasn’t harmful. While they had to leave some of the sensation intact for the effect to work on his toxin, they did manage to merge it with Deerflame enough that his tea. It at least, according to the analysis, did eliminate the heat-causing effect he could have. Fai was the only drame who could still go into season on the isle, but the danger window wouldn’t be for two more phases and Asp refused to test it with a drame he didn’t know, so they had to wait.

They did make Drameshield, in theory, more effective. If a drame Asp mated with took it, it should work given it had two different blockers. Best Asp could tell, though, his own body recognized it as a poison and neutralized it; other drakes could take it as a preventative as well. Some drames on other isles and in the dorms had tested out both versions to great success, though (even if it was counter to the Prismarc Program). Flamecress, the Deerflame/Warmcress hybrid, had been tested by some other dragons for it’s health properties and then shipped to colder regions for testing. Really, though, Asp was just glad his Deerflame tea suddenly had a different taste to it: there was a gentle warmth behind the bitter notes now.

The more alarming event, though, went to Ren: as the third cycle continued, Ren’s belly grew heavier and heavier. And weirdly, she didn’t seem to mind. By the end of the third cycle, not long before parent visitation, she looked like she was about to lay: she still had another cycle to go, at least, though. She spent a lot of time lounging on the isle, when it was sunny, and swimming in the lagoons... and a few nights in the underwater den she’d made for herself... when she wasn’t playing with her Master. Honestly, Asp found her quite gorgeous like this, but with her horniness and hormones, there was barely a danger of Asp’s own threatening to overwhelming him.

Sryl had also begun to show, a sharp contrast to Ren as a larger, but more normal, clutch. And he was having a bit of a harder time, physically; at one point, it seemed he hadn’t gotten enough water while working in his kitchen, unused to the stress of having a clutch, and had managed to dehydrate himself. Ren had found the drake and promptly chewed him out about it, insisting he take the day off and spend it with her in the lagoon to cool down.

They had a lot of grown food by the end of the cycle, too. Sryl, who’d been doing research, directed Asp, Dria, and Fai on how to harvest the crops and resow them. And Asp and Fai picked the fruit from the orchard that had started to produce. Then, Asp had to put a pause on his research: the slow-grown trees on the dock’s landing tile were done growing and he spent time pulling up the trees while Kastri processed them into logs. He did the same for where his original forest was, though they worked those into a similar, two walled shelter that covered the Alchemy Table.

As for the cookware... there was a sizable amount, but Caeludyl was happy to do it for cooked food and transmuted metals to work with (which were a lot easier and faster than plants; Kastri could do those orders). But sourcing the metal and the services was still much cheaper, particularly for just how much Sryl wanted. Asp had thought the drake would just want pots and pans, but there was a number of processing tools that Sryl had wanted as well. And a few pieces of cooking equipment as well. But the quality of their food went way up in addition to their variety.

Finally, though, parents and rulers (which were both for much of Asp’s isle), were encouraged to visit Prismarc to check on their kids and their, essentially, representatives. Predictably, Ren’s parents, Matriarch Osidialia and Patriarch Triverid were at the Isle with Toriltide early in the morning.

“I told you mother, I am fine.” Ren was saying when Asp approached after Fai let him know they had visitors. “Hungry and cumbersome on land, but fine.” Asp bowed to both of them, though when he heard she was hungry, he went to the kitchen to get a wrapping of dried freshwater fish they’d had and some of Ren’s favorite fruits: she had a tendency towards tart-sweet ones, he’d discovered. He brought them back in one of the serving bowls Kastri had carved in her downtime from some of the leftover quick grown logs. “See? Asporyx is quite on top of making sure I am taken care of.”

“As he well should!” Osidialia said. Asp wasn’t sure which was more imposing: Osidialia in Matriarch mode like he’d met her a cycle ago... or right now when she was staring, well, death into him.

“Still, quite impressive you’re handling it so well, Lani.” Triverid said. “And... a pleasure to meet you, Drake Asporyx.” Asp got the feeling the much larger drake had some mixed feelings about him, though he wasn’t entirely sure it was because of the state of his daughter. Truthfully, Ren was handling it more than ‘well’; she was loving it. It wasn’t just her hormones that seemed to be making her more needy. “Have you made progress in ensuring such a thing doesn’t happen again?”

“Some; truthfully, if my partner has some Drameshield, then it’s a non-issue, but it shouldn’t be on them.” Asp said. Osidialia nodded with a snort. “It seems any ‘reducers’ we’ve tried so far on my end my body sees as a poison and just... neutralizes them. A few had even been inverted to become enhancers. At least according to the analysis formula we have. That’s too much risk, though, to test.”

“Too right, Aspy~” Asp nearly jumped out of his scales: his father had landed behind him with his mother and the Green Matriarch.

“Aunt Sornathra, a pleasure to see you. Hey mom,” Asp pointedly ignored his father for the moment. The Green Matriarch was a vividly dark green metallic drame who held herself with the same amount of poise Ren generally did. And she was the one who insisted on him calling her Aunt; she was his actual aunt, truthfully. He greeted his mother with a nuzzle, though Quinulra moved past him afterwards to nuzzle against Ren lightly.

“Dear, you look like you’re about to lay already!” His mother said. Ren nodded with a blush. “But you seem alright otherwise.”

“I spend a lot of time in the water; your son was kind enough to insist on the lagoon expansions early on and it has been a tremendous relief to find I am able to swim still.”

“Well, I am glad to hear our kyndom’s top specialist treats his partner with consideration.” The Matriarch said. Osidialia snorted a little. “Have you decided what to do with the eggs yet?”

“No, Matriarch. That conversation will happen likely next phase; it was advised we wait and see how strong my nesting and territorial instincts are.” Ren said. “Personally, I had hoped my mother or sisters would be open to taking some. Or yourselves, of course: they are as much your family. I am unsure I would be able to part with all of them, though.”

Prismarc had three options for eggs: keep them at the isle to look after them, send them to family, or send them to the kyndoms for adoption. Ren and Sryl were among the first who would be laying, so they were the pilot for such a thing. Sryl had already decided; his eggs would be given over to the kyndoms. He even told Asp to make sure that happened, no matter what the post-laying hormones did to the drake-herm.

“Hmm, that does seem fair, though I would insist you and Asp keep at least the first laid egg.” His aunt said. Ren nodded and Asp nuzzled along her side and belly; he could feel Ren fighting the urge to purr.

“Agreed on that.” Triverid said. “A drame’s first egg is quite special, as is a pairing’s first.”

Asp, Dria’s parents incoming. And my mother. Fai said in his head. She already sounded tired; she apparently was not a fan of dealing with her actual mother.

Thanks for the warning about my own parents!

H-hey, they somehow got by me, too!

“Matriarchs, Patriarchs, Mom, Sir Toriltide, feel free to explore. Though I will warn you that the left cavern off the Gardens is a lab I have set up for poisons: being near it is not harmful, but please refrain from actually going inside the lab itself. I believe Sryl has sample meals prepared of isle-grown food, though be aware it is fish and vegetables.” Kastri was guarding the spot as well, just in case. “And sorry, Ren, but Dria’s parents are here as well. And Fai’s mother.”

“It is alright, Asporyx.” Ren said, nuzzling at his leg; he nuzzled the top of her head. He gave a lick to her headfin and she nuzzled harder into his leg with a quiet huff.

Asp took off, he and Dria intercepting the three dragons and leading them to the ‘cleared’ tile. Dria ran up to her mother and nuzzled her deeply before nuzzling against her father as well. Fai joined them from her spot in the orchard, bowing to her mother.

“My-” She stopped short. “Faistyve, really now! I had hoped Nin and I would finally have something in common, remember?”

“Mother, Asp has enough on his talons with Ren and Dria, and then Dria’s partners Kastri and Sryl. I do not think he needs another gravid dragon to worry about.” Fai said. Dria came back over and nuzzled them both, giving Asp a lick on the nose. Asp was suddenly aware of the yellow Matriarch circling the three of them, though. And the rather imposing, vividly dark golden drake was staring him down. He was smaller than Asp’s own father, for sure, but much bulkier.

“Mom~!” Dria whined.

“Quiet, Dria.” The Matriarch said. She was a pale, light yellow matte dragon. But unlike most yellows he’d met, she was quiet slender. “So, you are the drake who took advantage of my daughter’s loneliness? A Shade... no a Green?”

Do not growl, A-! Fai’s voice suddenly rang in his head. He could only guess her mother stopped her from finishing that. Or blocked it.

“I wouldn’t see it that way. Your daughter is quite dear to me; she helped me... transition from my past of solitude into this... whirlwind.” Asp said. Dria trilled and slid beneath his wing. The Violet Matriarch just looked bored. “And yes, I am Drake Asporyx, a Specialist Green.”

“And what of these other drames? You greens do have a... reputation.”

“One that’s... pretty true, I’ll admit.” Asp just barely managed to stop himself from bristling; Fai’s warning gave him a hint he was being tested. As for the reputation the Matriarch mentioned... Asp couldn’t deny it. Green Dragon families were quite large. And they weren’t shy about mating: it wasn’t exactly in any common areas, but even Asp had seen dragons mating in... less than secluded areas. “And Faistyve and Elrenlani mean quite a bit to me as well. But Dria, like them, have her own place in our future family, should she wish it.” He was choosing his words pretty carefully... he honestly wasn’t sure which was more worrisome: the Matriarch or the drake staring him down. “She keeps me, and Fai, out of our heads and our attentions on those close to us.” He felt Fai nuzzle against him while Dria blushed and whined, hiding behind her wing. “Something we both desperately need.”

“And her... gender?”

“Is interesting?” Asp said with a shrug. “I would rather not... divulge much about your daughter’s intimate life, Matriarch. I certainly lay no claim to Kastri or Sryl, either, but given I am Dria’s consort, and sire of her clutch, I do try to help them as much as I can so she’s not stressed out about them as well.”

“... Good.” Rumbled out Dria’s father. The Matriarch suddenly relaxed as well and surprised Asp by nuzzling him. His wings flared out.

“Mom, seriously!” Dria whined. “I’m so sorry, Asp... she did this to all my half siblings’ consorts. I didn’t expect her to do it to you, though.”

“Even if you’re not an heir, you are my daughter. I absolutely will make sure you are safe and loved.” The Matriarch said with a huff. “But I will apologize; it is a tradition of sorts. My first daughter... her first mate turned out to be an abusive, arrogant drake not too unlike this... Dilorphus I’ve heard a bit about. And I won’t mention how many of my sons have been seduced by drames with a lust for power.”

“I told you he would be fine, but you never seem to trust me for some reason~” The Violet Matriarch said with a sigh.

“Forgive me if I put more faith my own abilities.” The Yellow Matriarch said; her exasperation was pretty clear. “But enough, we’re here to see our daughters and their mate-to-be.” And... suddenly both drames’ attention was on him. He bowed his head again in greeting. All of a sudden he was a whole sort of different type of tense.

“Relax~” Sartanita said. “And Ehemeran will be by later; he insisted we follow Faistyve’s suggestion we see her separately.” Asp appreciated the heads up at least; he still wasn’t sure the relationship between the Violet Matriarch and Shade Patriarch, honestly. And it seemed even Fai was murky on the exact nature and details. “But really, are you alright with waiting~? Surely such a virile drake wants to be surrounded-”

“Mother!” Fai growled. The Yellow Matriarch rolled her eyes.

“I am quite alright with waiting, Matriarch.” Asp could almost feel Sartanita’s empathetic abilities probing at him, so he purposely didn’t hide that he absolutely wanted him and, well, Myra to have their own eggs, or how much he wanted to see her heavy with them. Fai nipped at him with a slight growl. But it seemed to sate the Matriarch’s curiosity.

“Fine, fine, I can wait a bit longer~ Though...” She eyed Asp in a way that made him... somewhat uncomfortable: he was used to seeing that from Dria and even Ren.

“Do not finish that sentence mother.” Fai said. And the Yellow Matriarch let out a slight snort of agreement.

“Please don’t, for all our sanity. Now, as a formal introduction, I’m Nintanna, Yellow Matriarch, and this is Drake Grakugan, Dria’s father.” The large drake nodded to Asp. “He... honestly does not speak much. He does worry quite a bit about Dria, though. And we are both happy she has found such an open-minded drake.”

“A pleasure to meet you both. And feel free to explore or voice any concerns you may have. I’m sure Kastri would be happy to see you as well; I think she’s working on Rune Magic at the moment.”

“Well, that won’t do! I saw her parents earlier with the Indigo Matriarch and Patriarch.” Sartanita said. Asp blinked and inwardly sighed. While this had turned into a big isle, it seemed like it was going to get more hectic.

“Ooh, Dad! Is Emmie coming here?” Dria asked. “There’s a drake that really wants to meet her; I think she’ll like him too. He’s a metalworker.” The drake nodded and Dria beamed.

“With so many coming, I’m going to see if Sryl needs any help.” Asp said. “We’ve asked him to prepare sample means of the crops we’ve grown and fish Ren has raised.” He explained to the three older dragons. He excused himself and headed back towards the kitchen, though once he was fairly certain he was alone, he stretched and shook himself a bit before poking his head in the kitchen. “You alright in here Sryl?”

“Yeah... no... I think? As long as others don’t show up anytime soon, I can have bowls ready. And then there’s regular lunch.”

“Hey, don’t stress yourself out. We can go half a day without your cooking, maybe.” Asp joked, watching the orange drake work through the assembly line he’d set up.

“And just for that... it’s deer jerky for your dinner.” Sryl called back. Asp rolled his eyes, though he really didn’t mind. With that he took off and headed back towards Ren to check on her; her parents were still there, her mother lightly poking at the drame’s belly with her nose. And he couldn’t help but notice how Ren’s breathing seemed... purposeful.

“Everything alright, Matriarch Osidialia?” Asp asked; the larger drame looked up sharply.

“My daughter resembles a pufferfish, so no... not particularly.” She growled. Asp was unfamiliar, though Ren explained it to him well enough when she saw his look. And Asp could tell she was fighting really hard to not let the whole ‘Master’ thing slip around her parents; all this attention to her belly was getting her really worked up.

“Mother, I have repeatedly told you I am fine. Fai is here partially to monitor me, after all.” Ren said. “And Asporyx had no idea this would be the outcome at the time.”

“I still doubt that.”

“Matriarch Osidialia, I honestly had no clue just what this pollen had done to me. I wasn’t even told of the theories, just the story of a similar specialist drame like myself who was developing it had gone into season and been incredibly... frustrated.”

“... Nobody saw fit to tell you?”

“My father only told me a week before departure that I was even coming.” Asp growled his annoyance at that memory.

“Maybe details were not available at the time.” Triverid said. “Wasn’t only after the program started that we heard just how many eggs she was expecting?” Asp raised his eyebrow at that; he remembered the Green specialist researcher involved in the project. “Seven, and she wasn’t exposed long at all.” Asp winced.

“And what about Enoldria?” Osidialia asked.

“That... was a risk.” Ren acknowledged. “But... Asporyx.” Asp was pretty sure she almost said ‘Master’ right then. “Had created the first iteration of Drameshield and Dria was willing to risk it not working for her to test it against his own... problem.”

“First iteration?” Toriltide asked.

“Yes sir; recently, with a new Rune Formula, I’ve improved the herb further.” Asp told the scarred drake.

“Ah, yes, I did hear Bylinvu grumbling again. And saw a significantly large report getting logged. Are you closer to solving the problem more for the whole, though?”

Asp tilted his head. “... Probably? For other drakes and herms at least. And I imagine most species as well. For me specifically, though, not so much. It seems my system sees any estrus, fertility, and libido reducers as poison, which I guess they are, technically? So they get neutralized.”

“Other drakes?” Osidialia asked, looking sharply at Toriltide. “Brother?”

“I see that report hasn’t reached you yet. Asp’s condition does not seem to be... unique, but he did develop the problem much faster. Though it sounds like we can expect the commission we asked for soon?”

“... I guess so? I had planned to submit one that worked for me as well, but had not realized I could submit something that worked for everyone but me.”

“Considering the time crunch, and that it sounds like you’ve found a less than ideal, but workable, solution for your own problem, then we can accept that. You are, of course, free to work on it as you want, though.” Toriltide said.

“In that case... well, I can go work on it now.” Asp said.

“That would be best; we do need you for the welcoming ceremony tomorrow anyways.” Toriltide said.

“Sir?”

“Oh, did Sartanita not tell you? It’s Myradona’s... revealing, I guess? And you’ll be put forth as her Guardian, essentially. As in protector, not parental.” Asp just... shook his head a bit and then nodded.

“O-okay, well, that works... though I wish I had known about it earlier.” Asp excused himself with a nuzzle and encouraging purr to Ren. Before he rescued Fai from her mother, who was just telling her about the ceremony as well.

“I swear, Mother! I wish you would consult with me beforehand. It’s really not necessary.” Fai was saying.

“But it is! Elsewise, Asp might have to duel every power-hungry drake who wants to be the Patriarch.” Sartanita replied. Fai snorted, though Asp... had to agree. Beyond Fai’s actual coloring being quite striking and beautiful, she was powerful and had a powerful position. “Best to make it clear that you are not some trophy to be won in combat, right?”

“Fine... But I think Asp needs my help with something right now.” Fai bowed to her mother all but fleeing with Asp towards the alchemy table. Kastri was there, talking with his parents and aunt about the garden. Asp waved with his wing while he went to work: he’d... honestly met most of the dragons he needed to today.

The combination formula, or synthesis formula as they’d dubbed the newest iteration, had been carved into a split log length wise: this did allow them to expand it to include the analysis and comparison testing formulas his table had. The big drawback, though, was that this version used a lot of magic. And not an insignificant amount of catalyst to make, either. It was a little faster; the other half of the log had been made into the trait list... they’d spent half a day designing and carving the new runes into it. Asp, instead of five traits, now had twenty or so to cycle through at one time.

Asp settled into position to begin working: this version did require direct, constant channeling of his magic to work, or at least it was a lot easier to keep the traits around. Fai got out their samples and seeds to work with; she’d made a few runs to the ring to get fresh samples over the last cycle as well. It took, well, until the sun started to set for Asp to finish making the new tree he’d been commissioned to make. And each of the older dragons who were around eventually saw him hard at work, Fai helping him both with the mental block of pollen exposure and with the seeds that were being magically broken down. Finally, though, Asp brought the created seed, carefully, to the original clearing and his mother quick grew it for everyone to see.

The resulting tree was darker than the Golden Leaves and grew in a much more...weaving fashion than it’s ‘opponent’ tree. It’s leaves were red, too. This first tree was what Asp (and unknown to him, others because of him) called the ‘origin’ tree: it was designed to be quick grown and basically clone itself into seeds that were designed more traditionally like other trees. Honestly, creating the ‘child’ formula almost threatened to drain his magic entirely, even if Asp had noticed he seemed to be getting better at it. At least he’d gotten to the point where Fai didn’t have to worry about his mana drain any further. Once the tree started to drop oblong acorns, Kastri gathered them into a box for Toriltide.

“These should grow into trees with pollen that help lessen the Golden Leaves’ effect in drakes.” Asp told the scarred drake. “Though... now that I think about it... maybe I should’ve made the Golden Leaves’ pollen necessary for these to grow...” Asp frowned, staring at the acorn-filled box.

“Why’s that?” At some point, Ehemeran had landed and Asp hadn’t even noticed the Shade Patriarch with his high contrast scales.

“... I see the problem; if these are grown without the Golden Leaves, they are dangerous to drakes.” Ren said. Fai nodded in agreement.

“And is that hard to change?” Toriltide asked.

“Not... really? I’m just frustrated I didn’t realize that before creating it.”

“Don’t be; this technique will get out, and even if only a few can use it on their own, it only takes one with ill intent to come up with something similar.” Ehemeran said. “Honestly, I shudder to imagine what you can do with that formula and enough magic power.”

“Indeed; we might have to make it a restricted or even forbidden one.” Osidialia said. It seemed the other rulers were in agreement. Asp was about to protest, but Fai shook her head.

Love, if a dragon, or really anyone who can use magic, wanted, they could make some seriously nasty things with this formula. We’ve already proven it doesn’t work on _ just _ plants, after all. He heard Fai say in his head. Asp felt... cold at that realization.

“Of course, we would not stop you from using it, Asp.” Toriltide said. “You are its creator and have shown sound enough judgment to put us at ease-”

“Has he?” Osidialia growled; Asp winced.

“Okay, most of us at ease. Do realize, though, this means you might become responsible for most of the outside, difficult commissions that come in.” Asp frowned at that.

“... Will the Program be able to afford it? I mean...” Asp waved his wing towards his isle. “If our points are the equivalent of currency... I seem to be getting them at a pretty fast rate.” Most of the older dragons just looked at his father at that one, who winced.

“Any outside commissions are paid for by those who request them, we’re more mediators in that regard.” Toriltide said. “So don’t worry. Besides, Ren’s plans are quite extensive; you’ll need all the points you can get.” Ren squeaked at that. Asp raised an eyebrow, nuzzling the blue drame.

Asp, I think Ren’s about at her wit’s end. Fai told him; Ren’s mother had spent quite a bit of time nuzzling and examining her daughter’s most sensitive spot: that large belly. “Alright then, I’ll... add the Golden Leaves requirement to a handful of seeds tomorrow. For now, though, I think Ren needs her rest.” The violet Matriarch had the biggest smirk on her muzzle, but the older dragons did eventually leave. The moment Ren could relax, the scent of her arousal hit all of them. Dria, Fai, and Sryl nuzzled her in sympathy as Asp helped her get to the second level.

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

“M-Master~” Ren purred, nearly pouncing him into the baths. She rubbed her form against him with a loud, needy purr.

“You could’ve asked her to stop, Ren.” Asp said with a chuckle, watching her slide into the water and raise her tail for him. He didn’t hesitate to follow after her, using his wing to push beneath her tail and keep it away his head. He buried his muzzle into the gravid drame’s drooling slit, tongue probing into her slightly warmer than normal cool depths. She let out an appreciative purr and moan.

“S-she would not!” Ren purred. “I did ask a few times. But without an explanation, Master, she saw no reason not to.” She lowered herself in the water until she was more floating in the deeper end of the bath. As she’d gotten bigger, it’d taken some... experimenting to figure out how to help with Ren’s needs without tiring her out. Water seemed to be the answer: she could make herself float just enough out of the water that Asp had plenty of access to his siren’s slit, but the weight of her belly wasn’t a problem. “A-And such a revelation would make my mother only angrier at Master. She m-might-” Asp curled his tongue on itself, thickening the appendage exploring her, by now, familiar and slightly salty depths. He rubbed his chin against that sensitive pressure point as well as her body drooled and squeezed over his tongue. It’d made her moan, loudly. “She might think M-Master did something to make me like this... besides what is obvious.” She panted: her body trembled as he brought a talon forward, rubbing over her swollen form. She let out an intense roar and shot out a jet of sapphire flame against the rock wall, the contractions of her climax making him pull his tongue free as she painted his muzzle with her cum.

“For all we know, I did~ It’s not like you’re interested in other drakes, are you, my siren?”

“N-not traditional ones... Sryl is rather exquisite, if I can admit.” Ren purred. Asp raised an eyebrow at that, though his role demanded he brought his other wing down on the gravid drame’s flank. “I-I am still Master’s brooddrame~” Ren whined.

“Good siren~” He purred, nuzzling Ren so that she floated onto her back; she lazily spread her wings to stabilize her swollen from. Asp ignored the ache between his legs for now, though that was becoming a bit difficult. He adored the sight of Ren so full of eggs almost as much as she seemed to be enjoying it. A drame’s belly scales were able to expand out... mostly. Fai was worried Ren’s belly wouldn’t expand quite enough. Asp lavished her belly with lick after lick, which just made her purr and whine.

“M-Master~” Ren purred, the small drame resting her hinds on his shoulders. “D-Do you need relief?”

“Hmm... well, the sight of my siren has gotten me worked up, but if she’s too tired...” Ren shook her head. She twisted beneath the water, her muzzle finding his length while her tail wrapped around his neck. They discovered, quite early on, that Ren’s saliva and arousal were both just as slick underwater as they were on land, and Asp let out a low growl against her tail when he felt her muzzle wrapping around him. He curled his wing around the gravid drame hanging off of him, hugging around her belly just firm enough to make her moan around him: he could feel the vibrations of the sound as she snaked her tongue around him. That cool, eager rope of muscle settled into the grooves of his ridges and beneath his barbs, pulling his length deeper into her muzzle until Asp felt her muzzle against his groin and her swallowing squeezed down on his tip.

Asp shifted his weight onto three of his legs, his other one petting along her belly. As Ren started to swallow around him rhythmically, he carefully teased beneath her tail and sunk a claw between her folds. They’d had to get creative; Asp didn’t want to risk their eggs by mating her properly, so Asp had gotten somewhat proficient at using his talon to please her. And given the growls she was getting out of him, he’d figured this was the best way to communicate how good a job his siren was doing.

He was careful, working a single digit in and out in time with the swallowing sensation around his tip that started to fill Ren’s muzzle with his pre as her practiced tongue squeezed down on him. He sunk the digit down until he was pressing against her soft, scaled flesh, smearing her arousal and cum around while he managed to work a second digit into her clenching tunnel. He nipped and nuzzled along the side and underside of her tail while she squirmed beneath him. He could feel her breathing quicken around him as his digits relentlessly wiggled and twisted while driving in and out of her, his other three talons gripping at her groin almost possessively as he snarled and felt his length starting to twitch and throb.

That only encouraged Ren more. She suckled on him harder, her tongue rubbing and grinding against him in detailed ways her tunnel couldn’t. She twisted her muzzle as his knot grew and carefully pressed her nose and chin against the swelling bulb as his hips started to grind his length against her tongue and throat. She suddenly made her entire muzzle vibrate and her body clenched at his fingers. The vibrations she sent up his length seemed to unlock the gates holding the wave of pleasure and pressure back. His whole body trembled as that pleasure drained out of him with ropes and jets of seed pumping into his siren’s muzzle and throat. She had, surprisingly, not taken long to start swallowing down his seed whenever they started to do this (and though she denied it, Asp could swear she did it incredibly eagerly). Her tail, after a few long moments, eased off of his neck, causing his digits to slip out of her. He let her gravid form slip from his wing and into the water completely as she continued to swallow as much of his cum as she could.

Eventually, she pulled herself off of him. And she floated on her back to show off for him. He leaned back in and nuzzled from her belly to her chest and along her neck. “Better, my siren?”

“Mhmm, thank you Master~” She purred softly. “I at least feel normal...” She stretched and shook herself a bit.

“I was afraid my siren was going to be as pent-up as her heat had made her~” Asp chuckled. Ren shook her head.

“N-not as hazy or hungry a feeling, Master.” She bumped her nose against his. “Are you sated?”

“Ren, I’ve barely been able to keep up with you lately.” Asp teased, licking the blushing drame’s nose.

“N-not too much longer,” Ren said almost sadly. Asp nuzzled her lightly.

“Don’t worry, if my siren still wants them after the next cycle, I’ll put more eggs in her as soon as I can.” Asp laid down on the slope of the bath.

“A-About that, Master... I... well, I did want to see if Sryl could sire my next clutch?” Asp raised an eyebrow. The part of him that he thought he had... mostly under control, that part that loved to breed, reared up at the thought, but Asp beat it down. “He puts on a good front around most, but his inability to sire a clutch is only that much sharper for him as Dria’s grows. I-I know I am Master’s brooddrame, but-”

“Ren, before that, I do care about you. If there’s something you want, feel free. I do appreciate the heads up.” Asp said. “And if that’s what he wants... well it’s better than revenge on Dria?” Asp joked; he knew Sryl wasn’t like that. “Assuming the Meke blossoms and my toxin work to make him a dual slit herm like her... if he wants those heat side-effects.” Asp winced.

“True.” She sighed, stretching again with a purr. “So much better~” She purred, rubbing against him with her wing. “Or if he does want to become a drake. But that is a topic best discussed with him. For now, we need to make it through the new enrollees and, well, these eggs will eventually come out of me.” She wiggled a bit to emphasize her belly. Asp’s eyes were drawn to her swollen form and he rumbled out his appreciation. “Master, has Myra spoken to you about the medical expansion?”

“What? No...” Asp’s brow furrowed; the disguised dragoness definitely hadn’t mentioned that.

“I had figured; she probably does not want to stress you out about tomorrow and after.” Ren sighed; she rolled onto her belly and got out of the bath; Asp followed with a nuzzle along her smaller frame. “If we get the chance, we should talk tomorrow about it. It would be comforting to have a laying space... particularly if I get too territorial around our eggs.” She leaned against Asp; the two dragons joined Dria and Fai in their nest. Suddenly, Asp was nearly buried beneath the three of them. He wiggled a little bit and, well, he surprised himself by being unable to stop smiling as he drifted to sleep.