Planet Zar: Nexus

His.

Morticum swung his heads over the clutch, ears perked forward to catch the tiniest sound emanating from the thick shells. So many of them and all of them vulnerable. It ached to look at them, to think about what might happen to the tiny dragonets inside of them. Morticum wanted to lay himself over the clutch, spread his wings, and blast acid at anything that dared come near his offspring. It was a protectiveness he'd never felt for any of the clutches he was tasked to oversee. Was that normal? Was it selfish?

Did it matter?

:: They're fine. :: Yalazi slunk beside him, beaming pride. :: Aren't you on duty for this whole level today? ::

Morticum snorted and dropped one of his heads to nuzzle Yalazi's neck. "There are egg thieves. You saw what happened at the luung clutches. No one can stop me from looking over my own brood. None of my eggs will be taken away."

:: They're my eggs too. :: Yalazi slipped easily into the nest, touching her nose gently to the sides of several eggs. :: And we're not the only ones watching out for them. Where's Tabanthpsy?::

"Crawling around the ducts hoping to find someone who doesn't want to be found." Tabanthpsy bared his teeth in a pair of twin snarls. They were both aching for a fight.

Eggs had been stolen on their watch and there was no one to punish, no culprit to tear to shreds.

:: You need a break. ::

"I need a fight."

:: Well, I'd rather you didn't go looking for it over our nest. Come with me. :: Yalazi turned tail and raced out the cavern.

Morticum ducked low to follow her, shooting a warning grumble at the humanoid sentry posted guard at the mouth of the nest.

:: Don't harass the staff! :: Yalazi shot with a chortle.

"What if he's the egg thief?"

Yalazi didn't deem that worthy of a response. She led him into the weak sunlight of the chaparral biodome and snapped her wings open. She was a better flyer than him, all lean qnd aerodynamic with massive wings for her slender frame. Morticum was bulky and awkward, typically preferring to stick to the ground. Their flight would have been an amusement if they'd allowed any kind of spectator. Still, he whipped his wings open and took off after her, sluggish and heavy on the air.

The strain on his muscles burned sweetly. Yalazi back winged and twisted like a zephyr, swinging effortlessly behind him. She nipped at his hindfoot until he jerked it up against his body.

:: You'd be faster if you remembered your form. Do you want something to fight? ::

"Yesss," Morticum hissed, both heads focused on her twisting, whirlwind flight.

:: What about a storm? ::

Thunder rumbled over their heads as Yalazi gathered the artificial clouds of her magic, darkening the pale light to ominous grey. Wind battered Morticum, tousling the thick matt of his mane. He caught himself from stumbling into the gale, straining his wing muscles to bursting to keep aloft.

He looked back at Yalazi, framed in black clouds and the first pregnant burst of frozen rain, and his heart swelled with adoration.

"A storm will do just fine."

She was right. He did need a break.