News traveled posthaste through the thickly populated levels of the Refugium, but residents of wide open biodomes were less likely to catch the latest gossip. The thought of gem dragons directed Kutoth's mind to three unusual patrons. Mosasaurs, a species of sapient dinosaur-like creature from the planet Ayanula. Unlike many home planets of Kutoth's guests, Ayanula was still intact. It was the inhospitable environment of a growing war between gods that drove flocks of its natives to join Kutoth's crew. There were dozens of these saurian individuals on the Refugium now, many of which had to be dissuaded from eating one another.
The mosasaurs were well-protected on all counts. Large, armored, and strictly herbivorous. They didn't need dragons to defend them from their natural predators here. It was their affinity for precious gems that had brought them to mind.
A mental presence pressing into Kutoth's forethought alerted him to someone's presence. A shape, bulky and dark, appeared at the edge of the horizon, beside the wide trunk of an ancient baobab tree. With a flicker, Kutoth teleported to her side.
For her part, Uyata appeared unfazed and Kutoth felt only a twinge of alarm at his reappearance.
"Did you contact the others?" Kutoth asked, dropping his humanoid facade to return to his natural form.
Uyata cast a glance over her shoulder. "I did, but I doubt Corkon will come. He enjoys his solitude, I don't think he was enthusiastic about the prospect of form a permanent telepathic bond."
"You don't know what I enjoy," growled a gnarled voice. A large male with sparkling sapphire gems rounded the baobab, eyes narrowed to unfriendly slits. "I might not enjoy your company, but I could do with a good match. That's how these things work, isn't it?"
"The dragon chooses the bond," said Kutoth, gently. "If there are no hatchlings that suit you, you'll go unbonded." As long as there were enough candidates for the eggs. Kutoth was uncertain if gem dragons could go bondless. He needed to do further research into the species.
The last of the trio arrived, racing and puffing across the plains. She was the smallest, which meant little for such a massive species. Limaidua arrived in a flurry of hooves and a back swing of her wings to cut her momentum.
"Am I late?" Limaidua gasped between gulps of air. "I didn't mean to be. There were visitors and I think they got turned about, I was trying to- Oh, that doesn't matter. You said there are dragons for us, director?"
"That's entirely up to each of you," said Kutoth. "This particular clutch isn't on the Refugium, but I believe you'll find Lantessama a pleasant island to visit. It's more... temperate than the grasslands, but if you feel any discomfort we have portable heating units that can fix that for you."
"I want to know about the dragons." Corkon stamped a foot. "You said gem dragons, how do I know I won't end up with a stinking ruby?"
"These gem dragons won't have the same cultural moors as mosasaurus." Kutoth held out his palms, placating. "A ruby gem dragon would bear no resemblance to your old enemies. You have nothing to fear in that regard. Besides, it's unlikely a hatchling would choose you if you closed your mind off to it and from what I've learned, rubies aren't particularly common."
Corkon snorted and Kutoth could feel the disbelief oozing from his mind.
"Is it like having a hatchling?"Uyata asked, stepping forward.
Limaidua bristled at that, her wings ruffling. Kutoth was aware she disliked the idea of breeding, but was it children that worried her?
"In a way," Kutoth replied. "You'd be responsible for the dragon's care - with the help of the Refugium staff, of course - and you'd essentially be raising them, but it's more like a permanent friendship, for most. A partnership." '
"I like that," said Corkon.
"It sounds lovely!" Uyata beamed, eyes growing glassy.
"I heard some candidates coming through our biodome mention lessons?" asked Limaidua. "Is there a way for us to access dragon raising lessons as well?"
Uyata gasped. "Lessons? Oh, yes please!"
Corkon grunted and rolled his eyes.
"Absolutely!" Kutoth clapped one pair of his hands together. "I can arrange a tutor to visit you before we leave and if you want additional lessons after bonding we can put together something longer term. I'm positive there are other residents of this biodome that would like to have bonds of their own as well."
"Are lessons a requirement?" said Corkon, still frowning.
"If you feel capable of raising a dragon without them, you won't be forced to take lessons, and help is always nearby."
"Well, I want to go!" said Uyata, jumping to her feet. "When do we leave?"
"I think this is a good opportunity for all of us," said Limaidua. "I'd like to come as well."
Which left Corkon, chewing his jaw and grumbling under his breath. His pros and cons weighed more heavily on the naturally anti-social male.
"You don't have to decide now," said Kutoth. "We won't be leaving for another week." He stepped toward Corkon and set a hand on his armored shell. "Take as long as you need to decide."