ORIGIN - Co-Parenting

backdated to September 14th, soon after the conception thread between Fulgur and Alek

Alek

Alek was not a dragon prone to anxieties. That was not to say that life was perfectly blissful for Alek, but when he had issues they tended to have a foundation on facts alone. He was practical, and usually quite honest with himself about things. However, he also usually thought things through better than this.

Because Erasmus had a nervousness to them at times, and this was especially true when around gembounds other than Alek. Erasmus wanted the best for their children, yes, but was this the best thing for Erasmus, Alek could not help but wonder.

Still, it was too late to change his mind, he had indulged Erasmus and now he could only watch what happened. "Erasmus, the children have another sibling now. I'm bringing Fulgur, the other parent of that sibling, with me now to where the chrysalises are," He spoke when he thought they were close enough to the chrysalis site to give some warning.

While the two were a bit out of their own sight distance, Alek's voice was no loud shout, instead regular speech. "He wishes to parent alongside us," He added to clarify. While not quite planned for, having another parent in the mix, it was what it was now.

Then, not wanting to ignore Fulgur, Alek turned towards the other. "Erasmus, my partner, has very sensitive ears and other senses and can hear from here. They spent a while not speaking, though, so they're still getting used to speech. If you could try to speak a little slower, we would appreciate the consideration."

Take shelter from the sun and grow in shade
And walk among the trees of plans we've made
The rain will wash the sorrows away
And learn to soar the skies once again

@Erasmus

Erasmus

Erasmus perked up at hearing the musical tones of Alek's voice. The words were slower to register, but the vampire was getting better with words. Their heart soared at the confirmation that Alek had managed to acquire another sibling for their children. More family, their heart whispered to them.

Then the rest of the words registered and the vampire paused mentally, tensing in the tree they they had climbed up in to watch over the chrysalises. Like the rest of their senses, Erasmus had incredibly good eyesight- enough that light outside of this misty cave would be too bright. Though they did not know that themself, having never left Cetus.

Still, that good eyesight allowed them to peer past the mist to see the shape of this 'Fulgur'. At first, Erasmus thought this other being had to be a dragon, but Alek had not called him such as he surely would have. Family was important to Alek, very much so. Erasmus aspired to put family first like Alek did.

Still, the superficial resemblance to Alek was extreme. Fulgur's general body shape did not completely match, but it was close enough to comparison. And that was not even mentioning the glowing and the three eyes. Usually, strangers unnerved Erasmus, this was true. But this stranger looking somewhat similar to Alek was reassuring in a way, and Erasmus felt free to be curious.

They didn't mind the way Alek had explained them to Fulgur within their hearing, and they instead scampered down the tree to meet this Fulgur as he arrived in the clearing alongside Alek.

"Hello, Fulgur," Erasmus's hoarse voice greeted. "...Am Erasmus... Fulgur wants to parent alongside Alek and me...?" Erasmus inquired roughly, but they were sincerely curious. Viper green eyes peered up at Fulgur. They were a little hesitant, but they were not afraid or nervous as they might have been otherwise.

As I breathe into our silence
There's a voice that comforts me
It's a voice of understanding
It's the voice of empathy

@Fulgur

Fulgur is quiet, listening to the two of them speak. He's patient, nodding his head. "I can stay quiet," he whispers, keeping to the edge of the clearing, peeking through the trees. He doesn't want to scare Erasmus.

Even so, some of his Flock flitter forward, chirping as they inspect the chrysalises and their vampire parent. They're inquisitive, but even so Fulgur is worried that they my spook Erasmus. His underside glows brighter, warm and inviting, as he lets out a low chuff, in the hopes he'd call his little companions back to him.

Sure enough, they turn, fluttering back to roost on their caretaker. "Sorry about them. They're always so excited to see new things." His pink eyes dart around the clearing, taking in the small but growing stones, alongside their caretaker. "I will do my best to help you two."

@Alek

Erasmus

"...Am new?" Erasmus inquired, gaze curious as they observed Fulgur in more detail, moving forward and then tentatively back, the dance of a skittish creature unsure if they can approach. "Not seen like Erasmus?" They are genuinely curious.

Notably, their voice is a raspy sort, far from the musical tones of Alek.

"What are 'they'?" The vampire's gaze settles on some of the not-birds that seem attached to Fulgur.

Their green viper gaze regards Fulgur thoughtfully. "Believe Fulgur will help." They nod decisively, deciding that Fulgur is good. More than good, important. Fulgur is the parent of their future children's sibling, and will help.

As I breathe into our silence
There's a voice that comforts me
It's a voice of understanding
It's the voice of empathy

@Fulgur

He'd nod his head in a combination of answer and timidness. "Not really. There was another who walked on two legs like you, when I hatched. But she was a different sort." The witch who'd welcomed a little freshly-hatched Fulgur was far more rough around the edges than Erasmus's uncanny but ethereal beauty.

The green eyes narrowing on Fulgur's companions do make him shift. "They are mine. My flock is like... they're not me, but I couldn't bear to be without them," he attempts to explain, the creatures in question wing around their eyrie.

But once Erasmus voices their approval, Fulgur smiles back, easing. He wants to try his best, to help as much as he can.

@Erasmus