ORIGIN

James was laying down next to a rock with one wing haphazardly spread out beside him. He wasn't asleep, just resting, one ear constantly listening out for his daughter. He'd had very little energy for their exciting outings since he talked with Ari, so this was the most he could really do. Just lay here and try and recover.

He opened his amber eyes to see where Comet was, a small smile crossing his face. Even after the gaslighting that Ari had done (knowing or not), she always brought a smile to his face. His brave little princess... a ferocious warrior princess, that was. A dragon in a wolf's clothing.

"Comet?", he called out, grunting as he shoved himself to his feet, "Comet here, darling. Let's head over to the cliffs, I believe there's some lessers that hang out there, like Kytes and things, if you wish to hunt."

The stallion flicked his tail from side to side and rubbed his face on his knee, scratching at an itch. He spread his wings and exhaled before taking off at a sudden gallop and taking to the sky, flapping to get off the ground before circling around Comet with a smile on his tired face.

"I'll race you," he laughed.

James softened and flew beside her, finding himself having to actually pick up speed in order to stay that way. He laughed, eyes sparkling again, legs tucked up and his tail and feathers flowing in the wind.

Of course he let Comet win, landing just behind her as they reached the cliffs. He shook himself out and stopped, catching his breath as he looked out behind them.

"It's so lovely," he said, and raised his head to look up at the stars, "Isn't it?"

James held out a wind and lay down, offering his warmth if Comet wished to lay down again. The thing he was most thankful for now was not having to share the wolf pup. He got all of the snuggles and affection (and tantrums, though rare they were). He got to spend so much time with his little girl, watching her grow and change. It was wonderful.

"I wish you had a friend," he suddenly said, "Like... a sibling? Maybe. Someone to keep company with. A little adventurer just like you, to keep company with and to play with all day long. Someone to cause infinite amounts of trouble with."

He teased Comet about the 'trouble' bit, but he worried. She came home telling about fights and things she'd gotten herself into, things she'd done while he wasn't there. It was awfully frightening. If there was someone who could be there, then his heart wouldn't try to beat itself out of his chest so often.

James nodded gently and shuffled her as close as possible, the two of them looking very similar to gophers poking out of their hole. He nuzzled Comet gently and started to lick at her fur, comforting her rather than doing anything to clean her.

He paused mid-lick and lifted his head, looking a bit ridiculous, "Oh- really? That's awfully convenient. Um... I suppose I could."

The stallion looked thoughtful, "It's an awfully sudden decision though, Comet. I know I can support another child, and you can assist in caring for them... we'll need to find somewhere safe for them to form a chrysalis and grow safely. Home, perhaps?"

He set his head down and hummed, amber eyes rather far off.

"... It's a lot of responsibility," he said, "I will admit, you're not so much a child as you are a free spirit. Even as a pup, you were very independent. Whatever personality they come out having will be very different than your own. But... I do think it would be nice to have another child. No more after them, though. Not for a while."

James didn't want this to be a split-second decision, and he certainly didn't want to just leave the child alone and end up abandoning the poor thing because of lack of ability. He wanted to be a good parent. He didn't want to be like Ari.

"... What do you think, Comet?", he finally asked, deeming her old enough and responsible enough to ask her opinion on such an important matter, and take it into account.

James huffed in amusement, "Like that, huh? You'll stay awake? Well... a chrysalis is thankfully indestructible until a Gembound hatches, and I believe it takes two weeks for one to hatch, at least that's what I've heard from the few I've met around the caves who've had children."

The stallion looked down at the gem and smiled gently, nosing it gently, "You know what? I'll do it. For you, princess."

He stood up and stared down at the gem, his stone buzzing with energy. This would take a lot... he was giving up a lot of magic for this life.

"Come, Comet," he said, "We'll go to my old hideout and we can place it there. Here's hoping that this works the first time."

Stones broke with strain, but he didn't know how much one could take, especially one so exposed. He scooped it up and dropped it in his net bag, looking to Comet with fluffed up feathers.

"I suspect I'll be extremely tired after this," he said, "So I'll need you to help me out while I regain my energy."

James made his way through his old hideout, where he'd stashed what belongings he and Comet had. His gem creation that Pride had gifted him, various furs to create a bed on top of one made of grasses and soft soil, and other things, such as a plot of soil in the backyard growing a small apple tree. He'd have to politely ask Mercurius if he could grow the thing just a wee bit faster for him.

"Come, Comet," he said softly, gently setting the stone down in a corner of the bedroom opposite the bed, where it would be semi-hidden and have plenty of room to expand as it pleased when forming the chrysalis.

The stallion gently nosed the small gem, sighing gently, "Okay, little one... everything is prepared. You can awaken, now."

He waited until Comet was beside him and watching before casting the spell. If he fell or passed out, or even if he remained standing, he might need assistance.