With the new hatchlings around there is much to do - like keep them fed and safe. Sniffles knows they all could fend for themselves if they needed to - everyone comes out with at least some basic instinct for how to survive. Still, they would rather keep their groupmates happy and healthy. Especially because they're so young.

Sniffles is sure that both them and Dragon will be doing their best to make things work. They're thankful that the two of them are raising the hatchlings together, regardless of relations. Sniffles has never had hatchlings to take care of, so there is a lot for them to learn too. It just makes things a bit more exciting.

They're still a bit sad that the last one has not emerged yet, but perhaps with time. They'll keep telling themselves that until there's full confirmation that nothing will be coming out. The magic took fine! Sometimes they just take a long time. Sniffles' tongue flicks as they take scan of the strange tree in front of them. It feels like home.

@Spawn

The spawn had grown much since its hatching. Mentally, not quite physically yet. It had come to terms with much of the language it was born with, its tongue loosening the longer it was awake. It could speak full sentences now, even if its beak got in the way sometimes.

Although it had many siblings, it, too, was curious about the state of the final chrysalis. Who was going to emerge from it? A sibling, of course, but the current four were so vastly different in appearance, the spawn couldn't help but wonder who it was going to take most after. Sniffles, Dragon, or whoever the other parent might be?

Moving was still a bit awkward with its massive, meaty tail, but the spawn still hopped around as best as it could. Much to do, after all. There was always something else to learn about. Today, however, it decided to check back up on the chrysalis. Perhaps if it had more mobility, it would be attempting to sneak off to explore some more, but exhaustion and a small part of pain kept it close to its hatching site.

On its way to the site, it spotted a familiar black and red form beneath a tree. There was no deadline on checking up on the chrysalis, so the spawn easily redirected its line of path, kicking up the mist as it went. It made no attempt to conceal its approach, as its heavy tail was almost impossible to keep lifted, and therefore silent, for a prolonged amount of time.

Sniffles notices their child right away, the hefty tail on the little body giving it away quickly. Their tongue flicks as their eyes look at the hatchling instead of the trees around them.

"Hello little one." They hum.

This one has been quiet from the start, but Sniffles does not mind. Perhaps it will come to speak eventually, or never. Either way Sniffles will continue to cultivate its growth carefully. Sniffles has mostly relied on instinct so far, but it seems to have gone well.

"Do you have a name yet?" If not, no biggie. Sniffles has no reason to rush finding a name for their spawn. Perhaps they can think of one themselves if nothing comes to mind.

@Spawn

Sniffles immediately noticed the child, most likely because of how noisy it was. The spawn didn't react with joy, or dismay. It was just a simple fact of life. They did not hatch with the potential to be stealthy. It hopped closer, one step at a time. Perhaps if their tail was lighter, or smaller, they could use it for balance, or perhaps as a sort of weapon.

An unfortunate turnout, they might have thought, if they were a little older and more self-deprecating.

"Hello," it said, simply. It had no reason to hate itself yet. It was still trying to figure out who they were, so it was near impossible to latch onto something worthy of hate. They ruffled their wings, bones aching a little from a distinct lack of stretching the muscles. There was no way they could fly, so what was the point of using them?

A name? The spawn glanced away. That was another thing they had to contemplate. Everyone else had one of those, but they were... indecisive. Uncooperative. Untethered to any name that was thrown their way. "No," it told their parent, "Nothing suits." Nothing seemed to fit.

Maybe they'd never find a name.

"How did you choose yours?" They asked, peering up at Sniffles. Curiosity brightened their eyes as they wondered if their parents experience might help it choose a name of their own.

@sniffles

If Sniffles could grin, they would be. Hearing the voice of their child is nice, it's good to be able to chat with it. If Sniffles knew about the sore wings, they would've suggested the child use them even to stretch a bit. Since they don't know, Sniffles carries on as normal.

Sniffles doesn't know how they chose their name. They came out just knowing. There wasn't a time Sniffles didn't know their name, except for when they were still in chrysalis. It feels strange that their child doesn't know a name yet, but Sniffles supposes gembound don't really need names.

"I just knew when I hatched." They say.

"You don't need to pick one right away, or ever if you don't want to." Sniffles reassures them. "Maybe one will come to mind with time." They suggest gently.

Instead of dwelling on it, Sniffles changes the subject. "Hungry?" What does this one eat, even?

@Spawn

"Really?" Well, that was pointless. If everyone else just came out knowing, did that mean the spawn didn't have a name at all? The thought was disheartening, and the young gembound ruffled their feathers, betraying their dismay. It was quite looking forward to finding the right name, waiting for the moment when it came to them. Deep down, they knew it wasn't that surface-level, but the knowledge its own parent knew, just like its siblings, hurt just enough for it to linger.

Sniffles went on to reassure the young cuckoo hybrid, allowing it time to fix its feathers, smoothing them like usual. Of course, it was never as simple as just knowing. Briefly, it considered the option of letting someone choose a name for them, but that took all the fun out of it. What if it heard of another word they liked more? A name needed to fit right, and feel right. The spawn couldn't just go around constantly changing their name... could they?

"Never? The spawn asked. It wasn't sure how to feel about that. Everyone else had a name. They didn't want to feel left out forever and ever. They hummed, non-committal. Maybe one would come to mind with time, as Sniffles said, but maybe they should be spending more time with other gembounds and they could suggest names until one eventually just stuck.

The mention of food had them pausing, gauging the fullness of their stomach. The claws of hunger weren't quite digging into the soft organ yet, but the more they thought about filling up, the more they wanted to eat. "Yes," it said, wondering what its parent might produce for them to snack on.