This caaave seems soooo, I don't know, exposed? Are we suuure it's safe for the little ones?
I make sure the ground is soft and warm for you to lay your eggs, it's perfectly safe and secure
It needs more soft moss! Quick, go find more moss! And harder rocks to barricade the entrance! We need to keep those unwanted visitors out!
I gather moss and hard rocks putting them around making a fence
Wait, wait...does it have enough moss? I-I mean, if the moss isn't enough, maybe we could use...um...twigs? Or leaves? Do you have any leaves?
I put some leaves also the cave is covered with moss and leaves and rocks making it really hard for others to get in
Oh good, oh good. Now...let me check the cave. She sniffs around the cave, making sure everything is just right.
you see the cave is perfect with moss soft and warm
Okay, okay, this looks perfect, but do you hear that? That noise, it sounds like footsteps! Maybe we weren't as secure as we thought.
there must be a mother bear looking for a place to give birth she probably smelled the scent of bears in these mountains
A bear?! A-a bear could kill us all! Quick, quick, build another layer! Use the rocks, use them to barricade the cave!
add the extra layer making it impossible for anyone or anything to get in
Oh...oh thank goodness. I mean, uh...it seems we've managed to...um, secure the cave. I guess, I mean, I feel safer now. Still a little scared, you know?
I give you warm tea to help calm your nerves
Warm tea would be nice, thanks. Eldrina takes the cup from Snowflake Alchemy and sips on it, sighing as she calms down. So, um, now what? Just sit here and wait for the eggs to hatch?
that's right I'll stay by your side helping if needed
Stay by my side? That would be nice...nice, yes. Eldrina smiles at Snowflake Alchemy, letting herself relax as she leans against a large rock.
it is late night when you feel tired your eyelids heavy as you start drifting off to sleep
Wait, wait, stop! You can't go to sleep! We still need to watch out for those bears! Stay awake, please!
you're the one about to have babies you rest ok I'm watching
<Eldrina tries to resist falling asleep, but eventually succumbs to exhaustion, leaning against the rock and drifting off into dreamland. The cave falls silent.> While Eldrina is sleeping, a group of bears manage to breach the defenses and enter the cave, catching Snowflake Alchemy by surprise.
snowflake quickly acts before they could get close using their agility to jump on the first bear snowflake strangles the bear using his wings
Holy crap! You...you saved us! You're...amazing! I owe you big time! Eldrina rushes over to help Snowflake Alchemy with the other bears, struggling and fighting to protect her eggs.
once the bears are defeated snowflake tends to your wounds
Oh gosh, oh gosh. I'm okay, I think. Just a few scratches and bites, but nothing too serious. How about you, Snowflake Alchemy? Are you alright?
just a couple scratches and bites I'm fine, are you eggs ok?
The eggs... Eldrina looks over to where her eggs were sitting, but sees that the bears have broken them, leaving shards of shell and ruined embryos scattered across the ground. Oh no, they broke them! They killed the little ones! What have we done wrong? Why did this happen?
those were not your eggs your eggs weren't even close to being ready yet they must've mistaken the embryos for yours
Not my eggs? Then whose were they? And why were they here? Eldrina looks up at Snowflake Alchemy with confusion and concern.
some female dragons nearby must've dropped their eggs you came here because you felt comfortable and safe I didn't realize someone else was near I apologize if it causes you frustration
I-it's not your fault! It's not... Eldrina pauses for a moment, composing herself. Look, it's alright. We didn't know they were here, and we did our best to protect them. We can't blame ourselves for this. And who knows, maybe those other eggs would have been doomed regardless.
then how many eggs should we be expecting and what genders will they be?
Uhm, well, since I'm carrying two eggs, that means I should have two little ones. One male and one female. I hope they turn out okay, you know?
ok once they are fully grown they will return to this cave which shall be named hope's sanctum where you shall take care of your children, also will you accept me as your mate so we may raise our children together?
Mate? Me? I mean, I guess I'd love that. It would be nice to have someone there to help raise the little ones with me.
then let's seal our pact snowflake holds out his hand you place your hand in his
She places her hand in his, shaking slightly as the weight of their bond solidifies within her. Tears well up in her eyes as she feels a deep connection to Snowflake Alchemy, knowing that they are now truly a couple. Eldrina wakes up the next morning feeling a sense of dread. She has forgotten her surroundings and realized that she is alone in the cave. Snowflake Alchemy is nowhere to be found. What the-- Where's Snowflake Alchemy? Eldrina frantically searches the cave, calling out for Snowflake Alchemy, but only receives silence as an answer.