ORIGIN

"Yes," Cadenza agreed gently with Sprig's words regarding the dead bush. They considered the result of failed magic. It was sad, but much kinder to the user of the magic than their own magic tended to be. At least, so far as Cadenza could tell. "Are you alright? I know when the magic I have been using backfires, my head tends to feel odd in an unpleasant way."

Sprig's clear enthusiasm for the name they gave the food raised gave them some confidence. The antlered dragon leaned down to try the food that the two of them had created, and ember eyes shone with delight. "This is delicious!"

They did not take the words of the lion hybrid poorly, quite the opposite. They laughed warmly. "Perhaps you are the one stuck with me," Cadenza commented. "Whatever the case, I am quite glad to have you at my side," They warmly told Sprig.

"I do not mind helping. In fact, I am happy to help," Cadenza earnestly informed Sprig, and they picked up a coconut and cracked it open with their jaws before putting it down for the lion hybrid to be able to reach.

When Sprig moved close to them, his tail brushing against them, Cadenza turned to warmly regard Sprig, the sadness leaving. "I am alright. I was merely hoping to freeze some water to bring over to help the bushes you grew."

But was that the full truth? They hesitated, and then they spoke again. "And, I suppose... It worries me, my failures. I feel I need to do better." They glanced to the chrysalises at this statement.

However, there was no reason they could not try again. They focused on the water, the idea of freezing it.

It was not as solid as it could be, but they snagged the ice out of the water and put it on the shore. They did not yet crush it up for the bushes. "Even when I succeed, often it is not as skilled as I would prefer. Magic is my strength, and yet..." They shake their head and sigh.

"...I suppose I worry that if I cannot do well at something I have decent experience with, how will I manage something I have no experience at all with?" Again, their gaze drift towards the concealed chrysalises.

@Sprig

"I'm alright." Sprig could feel the all too familiar pain of an incoming headache starting to build. He blinked rapidly, shaking his head as if it would prevent it from getting worse. But it didn't. The lion froze, trying to maintain a neutral expression as the pain surged through his head, and for a second all he saw were blurry shapes and colors. And it was over. The blank expression faded away and his eyes refocused on Cadenza. "I'm fine!" he forced a smile, not wanting the dragon to be worried. It was quite normal for this to happen after all. To him at least.

Sprig decided since coconuts tasted so good it would probably be a good idea to grow more of them after he finished the bushes. That way there would be an natural endless supply of them!

His ears perked up at their laugh, it was such a delightful sound. It was like music to his ears. Quite literally. A thought that had passed his mind earlier reemerged, but this time he put it into words. "Well... would it be alright if I stayed here?" Sprig shifted his weight between his paws, "I can help guard the chrysalises and take care of the plants!" He knew Cadenza had said they would appreciate his company earlier, but wanted to make sure that it was alright.

"Thanks!" The lion took the cracked coconut and got to work on using his claws to carve out the coconut meat on the inside, the white shavings then placed onto a coconut leaf so they wouldn't get mixed into the sand. Once he had a considerable pile of the coconut, it was time for the next step. Or what he guessed should be the next step at least. "Now I think we have to cook it." That was a task for Cadenza. Who was an expert at manipulating temperature.

Sprig nods at Cadenza's response, but he can tell that there was more to what they were thinking."You're already trying your best." The lion follows Cadenza as they drag the chunk of ice out of the water and follows their gaze to the chrysalises. "That's already more than anyone could ever ask for."

There was a moment of hesitation, but he decides to reach out with his magic, and is hit with the emotions that Cadenza was feeling. The spell was a bit shaky and it faded away almost as soon as it came. But he knew now. A part of him says not to. But he does. "I understand." And something in his eyes said he did. Sprig leans for a few seconds against the dragon, a source of reassuring warmth.

"No one can ever be truly ready. But- at least you were brave enough to try, right?" he pulls away, taking a few steps forward and looking back at Cadenza, "And I'll be here to help. We can do it together." Sprig smiles, hoping that would reassure them. If only Cadenza could see themselves as he saw them. Didn't they realize how amazing they were? Kind? Hardworking? Talented? He knew they would be a great parent already.

@Cadenza