Fira turned to Destiny when she felt the platypus press against her side. “Hmm?” she asked, still thinking about her failed spell cast. “What, no, I’m okay. Just lemme try again. It’ll be fine.” That was Fira. She didn’t take no for an answer, and she didn’t give up on anything. She gave Destiny a lick on the face somewhere, avoiding the spikes in her head, and then turned around and faced the opal quill again. “Just hold on, I’ll get it right.” She pressed her nose against it again, closed her eyes, and concentrated again. This time the magic came easily, and she grinned, even while her Life Energy was being transported, and her eyes were still closed. She couldn’t help but grin.

When the transfer was complete, she gave a huff of exhaustion and flopped down next to her best friend. “There. I did it. We’re gonna have babies.” She placed her head on her paws and closed her eyes. “And now I’m tired…”

Words: 166 @Destiny

Destiny might have protested if she hadn't got the sense that Fira was about to try again already. Slowly she nodded, relaxing, the velvety fur along her spine prickling with happiness as she felt the leopard's soft, warm tongue against her cheek. "Alright. Be careful. I don't want you to tire out..." the platypus murmured. Even still, what would that really affect? Maybe they'd just go to sleep curled up within each others warmth and to be fair, Destiny was... a little more than exhausted herself. She didn't have a problem with sharing warmth.

She knew that Fira was far stronger than she was, in almost every way. And Destiny had faith that she'd be okay even when she was tired right down to a nap.

"Y-you did?" Destiny asked, seeming stunned by how fast it was over. She seemed to spend a few seconds simply taking it in, and then gave a wide, relieved grin. "Th-thank you! Th-that's amazing!" she said, feeling as though raising her voice any further would ruin the mood.

"I-I bet you'll g-give them your strength, Fira..." Destiny's heart warmed as she thought to herself. She was sure that with Fira's life force, their little ones would even be able to overcome her gem. Even with that in mind though, Destiny couldn't help a thrill of fear running through her breast.

"...I'm tired too," she admitted after a while, gently nudging the two crystal spikes she'd shed. "I... I think we b-both need a little rest..."

@Fira

Fira chuckled when Destiny said she’d give the babies her strength. “You’re strong, too, Destiny. You just don’t know it. I might have muscle, but you have mental strength. More than I do, probably. Our kids will be great, trust me.” She yawned, her mouth stretched wide open, showing her sharp fangs. “I’m gonna sleep now, okay? Later I’ll dig out a little spot for the shards in the den, so they’ll be safe. I’ll bring in some moss and stuff too, so they’ll have a soft place to land when they break out of their eggs.” Fira used chrysalis and egg interchangeably.

Fira got up on tired paws and readjusted herself so that she was curled gently around Destiny. One of the platypus’ spikes poked her, but not hard enough to really hurt. She pulled her body a bit farther away and all was well again. Unthinkingly, she gave Destiny another kiss on the cheek, then she let her head plop down onto her paws and was asleep in seconds, the effects of the spell-work seeping into her bones. She snored lightly, tail twitching with anticipation in her sleep…

[Exit Fira]

Words: 191 @Destiny

Destiny smiled happily to herself, and couldn't help but give a bashful, nervous little chuckle as Fira spoke. "I think they'll have the best bits of both of us," she told Fira, grinning. "And even if they don't, they'll still be a-amazing in their own way. I c-can't wait to meet them. Maybe they'll hatch out bigger'n I am!"

Destiny gave a huge sigh, allowing her head to drop down onto its own soft bed of moss. "Th-that sounds nice. I'll have to make sure it's soft enough for 'em. I'll t-test it out for you!" Destiny giggled, a little purr escaping her bill as she felt her warm tongue again lap against her cheek. A big smile lingered on every inch of her face and she twisted to bump her bill against the leopard's cheek in return. She felt the bigger creature moving away, and then the shuffling sound of her curling up.

Destiny herself, was feeling the exhaustion tugging heavy at her muscles. With a soft, mumbled growl of "Nanight, I love you..." Destiny curled up. Her eyes wide open and sightless, Destiny waited patiently for her mind to begin to wander.

-Exit Destiny-

@Fira