The Family Home
Most of the time, it didn't bother him.
Hell, when did he ever have the time to think about it, really? Especially nowadays.
But it crept in, sometimes. Times like this, when everything was calm and he didn't have anything pressing to do.
Edan shook his head and stepped away from the bed the two golden hatchlings were asleep upon, his gaze moving slowly between the walls of his home.
Slowly, he reached out to touch a support beam. He wiped away the dust that had gathered in the crude carving on its face.
He sometimes entertained the idea of refining it more. Finishing it up. But he never really could bring himself to do more than think about it.
It was her last work, after all. Didn't feel right to mess with it.
The entire house was her work, though, really. Sure, he'd done what he could to help her back when he was a stringy little hatchling who could barely hold a board in place, but... it was hers.
He'd managed to find comfort in that. Most of the time.
But sometimes, being surrounded by things that reminded you so strongly of someone you lost - someone who should still be alive, well -
He took a quick breath, aiming to dispel the pang in his chest. He was being ridiculous.
He strode back over to the two new hatchlings, idly checking them over and tucking the blankets more securely around them.
Ila had been full of ideas for names. He'd only really
liked one of them; Milo, which the little mirror was now known as. The spiral was Mango. He'd more relented on that one than anything else.
He resumed a slow patrol around the house, looking for something to busy himself with.
Food was all prepped and stored, the house was clean, they had plenty of water...
There wasn't really anything he could think of. Everyone was pulling their weight so well that his days weren't full of preparations anymore.
He wasn't so good at just relaxing in his free time. He made a mental note to have someone else look after the hatchlings during naptime. Someone who would
enjoy the peace and quiet.
She would be so happy here now, he thought.
With the whole place just full of dragons. A real clan.
"Bet she'd be proud, even," he added softly, not wanting to wake the hatchlings with his pointless little reverie.
He tried to recall what he could of his mother's face; her gold-capped tusks, and wry grin. How the beads braided in her mane would clatter when she laughed. How she'd shave patterns into her fur when the mood took her. He couldn't remember most of the small details anymore.
That was probably normal. But he didn't like it.
He should pay her grave a visit, soon. Maybe bring Ila and Solveig - if they wanted, anyway -
There was a thud at the door, as if a body collided with it.
Edan immediately snapped to attention, turning to the door and baring his teeth. His second sight showed the form of a pearlcatcher stumbling to its feet.
And then he heard Ciron groan before yelling his name, and rushed to unlock it.
"What the hell was that?" Edan asked, still trying to keep his voice down - but at least one of the hatchlings had started to wail regardless.
"I thought it was open," Ciron replied through grit teeth, rubbing his head.
"You still have to
turn the knob - "
"Espen saw something out there," Ciron interjected, pointing off toward a section of the forest. "Or at least, she said she did. She sent me back. I think you should go check it out."
"How far?" Edan asked, peering in the direction he was pointing.
"Twenty minutes, I think?" Ciron replied uncertainly.
"Fine," Edan trotted out the door past the pearlcatcher, already building speed as he called out instructions. "You lock the door. Look after the kids while I'm gone."
He was already well out of earshot by the time Ciron replied.
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