"I love you too." Their musical sound was joined by his own light laughter as Sprig found the last of his worries slipping away. He watched as a chunk of obsidian fell to the ground, and stepped forward to imbue it with life. His stone thrummed with magic, coursing through his body and into the gemstone before him. It had been done. It all seemed so real now. Like... a dream that became reality.

Sprig still recalled when he had met Cadenza for the second time and was introduced to the three chrysalises they had been watching over in Leo. He could never have imagined that now, they would be having two children with both their stones and magic together. It was like an echo of the past, yet also something new. "We did it." he breathed, heart already filled with love for two chrysalises. "I can't wait to meet them. And for our children to meet them too."

@Cadenza

A chrysalis of magnesite and a chrysalis of obsidian were both beginning to grow. Cadenza loved these two already. From the moment these two had been a thought in Cadenza's mind, they had already loved them. It had been so with all their children, that Cadenza had just felt the sudden intensity of feeling.

"We did," They agreed softly with their musical voice full of warmth. They were glad the chrysalises were near enough the garden to keep watch from there. That was a good place, a safe place. They hoped their deer-dad would not mind. With a pang in their heart, they wondered what their dragon-dad would think of all this. It had been a while since Cadenza had seen their dragon-dad.

But the sadness could not linger long, in a heart so currently full of joy and love. A thought slipped into their mind as they pondered love. Their love for their children had always been sudden and powerful. Their love for Sprig had grown on them gradually at first, and then had blossomed into an always present presence in their mind. It was fitting that it had been so.

A yawn reminded Cadenza that they were tired after their flight, and the magic certainly had not made them less tired. They went to curl around the chrysalises, though they left some space. "Sprig, would you like to join us as I rest?" They ask.

Automatically included were the unhatched children in that 'us'. It never occurred to Cadenza to say anything different.

They nestled close, their eyes fluttering close as their breathing fell into the pattern of sleep.

[Exit Cadenza]

It had gone well. He looked at the two chrysalises with love, and he knew whatever they grew up to be like, he would always love them. Sprig wondered how his sister, or even his father, would feel if they saw where he was now. He realized that this was his family now. Him, Cadenza, the three children, and soon these two would join them as well. It was truly a new stage of his life.

He would definitely start work on growing some more shelter around the chrysalises after his rest just like he had for their first three children. Would coconuts grow here as well despite the rocky soil? Hm. That would be something to try.

"Of course." Sprig joined Cadenza, feeling the warmth of their body as he pressed against them. A sudden feeling of tiredness washed over him. It had been tiring to use this much magic, and a nap sounded like a good idea. The last thing he saw before he feel asleep was the two chrysalises thrumming with new life within.

Exit Sprig to sleep