A worried croon by her side drew her attention, and she turned. Her brother who had shared her egg stood beside another female, a red with frosted black wings. They nuzzled each other fondly before walking off together towards one of the entrances. Neither of them even seemed to notice her.
The undead hatchling crooned quietly. Markusaan? But he was already gone, with his own bond. Mother? The giant silver-black dragoness was carefully tring to pry open another egg and did not hear her. The hatchling's eyes whirled nervously. Anybody? Nobody responded.
With a tiny growl, she sighed to herself and walked away by herself. She did not head towards the entrance where her brother and his bond had disappeared to, even though she could smell warm meat inside. It wasn't like she could starve to death, anyway, she thought ironically.
Instead, she stepped inside one of the smaller side entrances of the cavern, which lead straight into the twisting tunnels of the dragonry, and by the looks of it, one not much used.
There were no glows or torches to light the way, but the hatchling didn't mind, though her hide brushed the jagged wall occasionally.
Soon, she lost her way, but she continued going, not caring where she ended up. She wandered through the tunnels idlely and never saw another soul. Until, that is, she met Dleddov.
A quiet scurrying in the tunnel ahead of her drew her attention, and she stepped forward nervously. Hello? Is someone there?
The scurrying stopped abruptly, and she fancied that the creature, whatever it was, was now looking straight at her. She saw a glint of pale blue and heard the clicking of claws as the creature approached.
A sudden burst of flame lit up the cavern suddenly, causing the hatchling to jump backwards. The flame was not directed at her, however, but at one of the torches lining the walls, which quickly caught fire and lit the cavern.
The creature in front of her eyed her speculatively-with both of its heads. It was rather plain featured, with no horns or crests, and had no wings, though its long tail seemed to have a sharp barb on the end of it. It had two heads, both fierce-looking and eyeing her almost hungrily, and its hide was a dark, muddy brown. Two pairs of pale blue eyes watched her suspiciously.
Who are you? What are you doing here? The creature asked. Its voice, definitely masculine, sounded strange, as if it came first from one head, then the other, which produced a strange echoing noise.
The gold hatchling stuttered nervously. I-I don't know, I was just walking around.
The hydra bent down and sniffed at her, one of his heads still eyeing her speculatively. You smell young. Freshly hatched. It wasn't a question so much as a statement of fact.
The hatchling bristled. So? She snapped.
This seemed to amuse the hydra more than anything, and he snorted. I am Dleddov. What about you?
The hatchling blinked. What?
Your name. Dleddov prompted. What is your name?
I-I don't have a name...
One of Dleddov's heads cocked to the side. Then choose one.
The hatchling thought hard. Dleddov stood patiently watching her. Finally, she replied. It's...Asayichae.
Silver-Black Eienpaia & Undead Flaming Silver-Gold Sezukar
She snapped at Dleddov as he came too close to her. Stop it! she snarled. The hydra backed off, but his two pale blue eyes still watched her relentlessly.
Dleddov didn't dare move any closer after she showed her disinterest. The dragoness was now a great deal larger than him, and was in an irritable most of the time now. Why are you resisting what so many other females gladly welcome? Most dragonesses would have already mated and had clutches by now, Dleddov said, even with a slight sulk in his voice.
It earned him another glare from the undead dragoness. No. I don't want any of that right now. And I haven't decided which male would be the best to sire my children.
Dleddov snarled furiously. I'm the only one good enough for you! You're mine, no other male will take you! His eyes glowed, and his two heads hissed.
Asayichae snorted a bit derisively. Oh really? Prove it to me then, she said, spreading her claws, teeth bared.
The smaller hydra hesitated, and that was all Asayichae needed. Not even getting up from her reclining position, she gave him a strong headbutt, knocking him back a little. Come back when you're a little less cowardly, Dleddov, she said contemptuously as Dleddov stalked away.
She had just settled down to sleep again when she heard the telltale clicks of claws striking the ground. Thinking it was Dleddov again, she growled, but by the glimmering torchlight, she could see the creature was far too small to be the hydra. In fact, it looked like a newborn dragon. He seemed like a newer breed, with the stubs of horns that would be wickedly sharp upon his head, but he was still clearly of Darkling Dawn origin. Probably from one of the latest clutches. He was dark in color, but his hide glistened with more than the wet egg fluid from his hatching.
Right now, he was staring up at the full grown dragoness with terror mixed with defiance. He lowered his head and growled.
It only made Asayichae laugh. What's a newborn hatchling like you doing in these tunnels? Were you exploring? She was not unkind about it; in fact, the hatchling reminded her of herself, shortly after her own hatching.
With a blink, the hatchling relaxed, seeing she didn't mean to rip him apart. No, I was just looking around! he shouted, as if that wasn't the same thing, Hmmph. My name's Burrakith. What's yours?
I am Asayichae. Was she like this when Dleddov found her? Shouldn't you be running back to your clutchmates and...bond?
Burrakith snorted, and sat down. I don't have one. And the others...and my sister...I don't care about them, and they don't care about me. I'd rather stay here with you.
She gaped her jaw, but it was a smile. Would you? Well, I can't turn down a request like that.
Dleddov, of course, was very much less than pleased. What's that? he asked, and the young dragon wilted under his double stare.
I found him, and he's staying with me. Asayichae stepped between the hatchling and Dleddov.
Furrowing the ground with his claws, Dleddov growled. What was all that you just said about not wanting any whelps?
That was different, she said primly. And no, you're still not getting any.
Crankily, the hydra stalked off somewhere to hunt something.
