ORIGIN

Sprig had taken a lot of time wandering about the garden in Orion and learning about how to care for plants in desolate environments such as this. It wasn't the same as the wonderous forest of Eridanus, but nothing would ever be. But it was safe. Safe from Order, safe for their children, and for them to live. After studying, the lion had then added some of his own plants to the garden. It gave him some semblance of normalcy.

But there had been a certain feeling, a mixture of bittersweet and emptiness. It had been gradual, so Sprig had almost never noticed the lingering emotion, but it had taken ahold of his thoughts in the past few days. But he hadn't immediately known why. And now, as he tended to a white and blue flower (it reminded him of Cadenza), the lion suddenly realized something. Their children who they had raised together were gone. They had gone off to do their own things, to live their own lives.

Sprig knew the loneliness of having no family- and now it was back, but in a different manner. It was not his sister this time. It was their children. But the entire situation had been too confusing to bring up, and so he had kept it to himself. And he had Cadenza now! The dragon was more than enough, was everything, and if they were content, then he was too. Sprig knew life both with and without children, and he found both to his liking in their own ways.

@Cadenza

Cadenza had taken a flight around Orion before coming back to the garden. Always coming back to the garden, back to Sprig. They remembered watching over the children from the skies to make sure no harm came to any of them, and now the children were...

They were as old as Cadenza had physically been when the dragon had decided to have children, actually. And that was such an odd thought. To them, the children would always been children in a way. But they were into adulthood now, truly. Perhaps even more than Cadenza had been at their age, considering the span of time they themself had spent in chrysalis after hatching.

Even though parenthood had come with some difficulties, it had been well worth it, for the children that continued to be beloved to them despite physical distance.

For a moment, they wondered not for the first time how their dragon-dad was doing. Their deer-dad was great, of course, and they appreciated him very much, but, the bond they held with their dragon-dad was different, though they could not pin down why precisely.

With curiosity, they wondered if it was because of his presence in the earlier stages of their development. That did seem important now that they themself had experienced parenthood alongside Sprig while raising the children.

They still did not know how they deserved Sprig, but they loved him. And he loved them.

Sprig was so important to them, and it was always hard to define why. It was more than simply being the father of their children, though they adored being a parent alongside him. It was more than the plants and the creative cooking. It was more than any words or concept. It was simply that Sprig was Sprig, and so Sprig was important.

An idea occurred to them as they landed near the garden but not too close, not wishing to squish anyone or anything. It grew in their head as they made their way towards Sprig. They knew it was possible- It was how they themself had been made, after all. While their children's stones had all been taken from lessers thus far, something about this idea...

"Sprig, I had a thought," They started immediately, eager to share their thought, then paused, unsure how to start this in truth. "...I miss our children. And- I know they are grown, that it is natural for them to make their own ways in the world. But I had a thought."

"You know, you must know, that I think your magic is beautiful. That I think you beautiful. I had thought... Well," The dragon ducked their head shyly, still shy after all this time.

"Our first three children were born from my magic and stones collected. But, children may also be formed from magic and stone given by two gembounds like us. And while our children take after you in ways, I wished at times they could also take after you in magic and looks as well," Cadenza admitted.

"While it does not have to be right now, I thought that perhaps... Together, your magic and my stone, we could have another child or two? There is no rush to decide, of course. I simply..."

"I love you," Cadenza repeated, musical voice radiating their usual sincerity.

"I would be happy even if we have no more children, though. So long as you are by my side... I cannot imagine being anything other than happy," They added. "It was an idea I had, but, if you are not interested, that is alright."

@Sprig

Sprig's face instantly lit up when he saw the dragon returning, leaving the flower behind and running over. It still amazed him sometimes that Cadenza existed. With their musical voice, their beautiful scales, their calming presence- sometimes he just thought about how lucky he was that a gembound so perfect in every way loved him. What had he done to deserve someone so patient and thoughtful? He was just some regular ol' lion with glowing stripes that liked to cook things. And now they shared their lives together, and he was even able to become a father. Never in a million, a billion cycles, could he have ever imagined this. Every day was like a dream.

Sprig sat down, allowing his tail to idly flick side to side. He did not speak, knowing Cadenza well enough that he was able to tell they had something on their mind. "I have been thinking about that too." How sad it was that the children they had raised were now off to do their own things. He was proud of them. It was good, independence and individuality was good, but it did feel lonely.

He felt his stripes start to glow in embarrassment, as they did every time the dragon complimented on something. Yet it was also amusing how Cadenza was so shy about it every time.

'Our children'. They had raised their children together, and look how they had all turned out. Sprig, although not related to them by magic or by stone, was their father. The lion believed family was more than what physical characteristics were shared, and he had never really thought about how he wasn't related in that way. Whether they were his own in that sense or not, he would've raised them the same. But it was an incredibly warming feeling that Cadenza thought of him in such a way that they wished their children would take after him. The lion never really thought his appearance nor his magic was anything special.

"I love you Cadenza. You've made me happier than anything else I've ever known. And I love our children as well. I think-" his eyestalks drifted from side to side as he thought over this. "I would be glad to have more children. To give life, and to show them all there is to see... to show them love." he knew, also, the burden of wanting to keep them safe. Especially with Order infesting the caves. But it had been a while since the wars, and although nothing had returned to normal, there was a certain kind of peace that had settled. It was safer now.

"But are you sure they should have my magic? I can only grow things, it's not very useful." Sprig was a gardener and a cook, but he knew that not everyone would share his interests. And not everyone would live a safe life. He knew that some gembounds chose to adventure and explore, in which case plant magic would not be able to keep them as safe as he would like. "Your magic is more useful. It can protect and be used in so many different ways."

@Cadenza

Cadenza listened, ember gaze warm with more than simple affection. It was hard for them to articulate the entirety of their love for Sprig, perhaps even impossible, but they would never tire of saying the words nor hearing those words back from the lion.

And while they would have been happy no matter what, Cadenza beamed with delight at the words from Sprig, stating an interest in their idea. In having more children together, with traits from both of them.

His stripes were aglow from their compliments still, and though Cadenza would love any children they had, they found themself hoping the child had beautiful stripes like Sprig.

Their head tilted slightly, confused at Sprig's disregard for his magic. "Sprig, your magic is wonderful. I have often thought your magic far more useful than mine. Not only can you grow food, you can grow shelter and protect that way. Your magic is so very practical. Your magic is life. Mine is... It can be useful, I suppose, but it can also be dreadfully dangerous to oneself and others. I think your magic is perfect," They declare, genuinely confused about Sprig considering it anything else.

Now that their mind could truly ponder the idea of further children between the two of them, Cadenza's gaze is bright with enthusiasm, fully committed to this.

"Do you think they might have your stripes?" They wondered with curiosity. "I will love them no matter how they look, of course, but they would look beautiful with your stripes. And your mane and fur! They might be around your size even, more easily able to interact with the world," Cadenza considered the possibilities, heart already full of love for these hypothetical children.

@Sprig

He felt his stripes glowing brighter than they already were out of embarrassment if that was even possible. Cadenza's words made him recall the treehouse he used to live in when he was young, where he and his family had all lived happy lives together. That had been in Eridanus, and no amount of his plant magic had been enough to stop Order. It still haunted his dreams at times. "It may bring life, but I am sorry to say that it is not capable of protecting it. Of destroying when necessary. I still wish I could've done more to save Eridanus. My magic was not enough." he looked up at the dragon, "Your spells may be dangerous, but they possess greater power. Protection against any threats that there may be." and this was true. Sprig had a distinct feeling of safety whenever he was around Cadenza, and felt they were able to keep their children safe in a way he could not.

There was a thoughtful glint in his eyes. "I hope they have your beautiful white and blue colors, your antlers, and your musical voice that calms whoever hears it." he smiled, thinking about the possibilities. "And I hope they have your wings, so that they are able to explore the world as well as interact with it." Sprig shifted his body and leaned against Cadenza. "How many siblings do you think there should be? A single child would be lonely." the lion could not imagine the lack of siblings. He felt there was a special bond that one shared with siblings that could not be replicated.

@Cadenza

Cadenza thoughtfully considered this conundrum. Both Sprig and themself liked the idea of the other's magic being inherited by their future children. Was this an issue? Regardless, they gazed both affectionately and a bit embarrassedly at Sprig as he listed inheritable qualities he admired of theirs.

At last, they came upon an idea as Sprig asked about siblings. They brightened further, beaming at Sprig. "We should have two," Cadenza suggests.

Three was a lot, after all, they had learned, though siblings were excellent. But that was not why Cadenza had suggested two, or at least not solely why. "One could have your magic and my stone, and the other could have your stone and my magic?" Cadenza's musical voice ended in a questioning lilt.

@Sprig

Two... yes, that was a good number. Enough to keep each other company as siblings did. "Yes, I think that is a good idea. They will complement each other, like us and our magic." At this, Sprig fell into a silence, taken back to a time when he still frolicked the forests of Eridanus with his own sister, Adonia. She had always been the one more skilled at magic, the bolder and braver one. They confided in each other their secrets, their passions, their hopes for the future. But she was gone now, gone with the rest of his family that had marked the naive and joyous cycles of his youth. He hoped that these children would never have to face their family.

And- he would be a good father. Sprig knew he already was, but this was different. His own father, Aristotle, had died to give life to him and his three siblings. Would the same happen to him? He knew it wouldn't- the only reason Aristotle had perished was because he had exhausted more magic than he had. But Sprig felt anxious nonetheless. His glowing colors were running faster now- and he dug his claws into the soil to keep himself steady. Grounded in the present. He took deep breaths to try and calm himself down. There was nothing to be scared about, but his past had flooded back, catching him off guard with the torrent of emotions that he had felt so long before.

"I can go first." A surge of determination- he would be okay. He loved his family, his children he had now. He would not die- he couldn't die. He had Cadenza. Everything clicked into place, his mind focused only on the task at hand, the act of creation of that which was infinitely more precious than anything else. Life. And in one definitive move, he cleaved a part of his stone, the magnesite falling onto the ground in front of him. It had been done.

@Cadenza

Sprig was anxious, Cadenza realized. Determined, but anxious still. Gently, the dragon bent their head to nuzzle against the lion. They could tell he was summoning his courage, and so they patiently waited, supported him quietly.

Then, when he was ready, he spoke. He cleaved a part of his stone, and Cadenza felt the thrill of excitement and nerves both. They were more prepared for children than they had once been when they had last given life, but all children were different. There was truly no way to prepare completely.

And that was alright.

Cadenza reached for their magic, gently infusing their magic within the stone, Sprig's cleaved stone, which would soon grow into a chrysalis. The child would take traits from each of them, and they took a moment to simply gaze in amazement. "That is the first one," Their voice musical voice is filled with awe.

@Sprig

His nerves calmed at Cadenza's touch, receding to a more collected state. Sprig was overthinking again, and he forced his anxiety away from his mind. He watched as the dragon then infused the stone with their magic. It would become a chrysalis, shortly, and he found himself thinking how fitting it was that it would be right next to the garden. He would be able to watch over it every day as he worked and protect it.

"It's perfect." he leaned into Cadenza, licking them on the nose. Sprig admired their calm yet determined demeanor- it definitely helped him feel less worried himself. This was the kid that would have the dragon's magic. He wondered what they would grow into, and who they would become.

But there was still one more. This one would have Cadenza's beautiful obsidian, and his own plant magic. He waited for them to give their stone so that he may imbue it with life.

@Cadenza

The lick on the nose made Cadenza laugh affectionately as it tickled, the musical sound ringing through the air like a windchime. "I love you," Cadenza replied, warmth in both their tone and their heart.

Cadenza had never given a part of their stone before, for all that they had given life before. But it felt right to do it for the first time with Sprig. They focused on the intention to magically cleave a piece of obsidian from the stone visible at their throat.

A piece of the dark stone fell to the ground. The beginning of the second of this clutch. It was but a shard, but they knew it would grow, once given Sprig's magic.

Soon enough, there would be two new children running around, perhaps even flying, with traits from Cadenza and Sprig both. They could hardly wait.

@Sprig