winterfrosting | Dark Cacao's Inbox

Dark Cacao will find himself standing in a familiar place- though it is not Ourania's bedroom, the white marble and sheer curtains certainly invoke her memory, as does the nebula-like expanse outside of the arched windows. As he waits for something, anything, it's quiet and peaceful.

And then the world begins to shift. He'll find himself at the beach, standing before Ourania's statue. Everything is largely the same, save for the bitter cold, but the fruit sharks that swim through the air are circling a pile in the sand fretfully. As he walks over, he'll realize something has been unearthed: a large clutch of eggs.

He sees the cold set in, the snow pile on and the eggs freeze over- hears whimpers from within, cries for help that go unanswered.

And then he is back in the room, Ourania holding his hands. She's so much taller than him. Was she always...? She speaks softly, yet the weight will surely settle on his shoulders.

"My bitter moon... they are beside me, yet beyond my reach. The winter will kill them if they are not kept safe- I do not know if it is wise to move the clutch, as Beiwe has always been the dragon keeper... but I ask of you: find a way to keep them warm. The winter is going to be worse than before."

He recognizes where he is almost instantly, so he knows whatever he sees while here is vastly, terribly important. But even if he didn't the sight of those eggs would have yanked at his parental instincts like a fishhook. In fact, he was already moving towards them even before he returns to the goddesses home.

He squeezes her hands, a fire in his chest.

"How much time do I have?" His every instinct drives him to rush out the door as soon as he wakes, but even he can't carry that many eggs alone.

"The snow will come in weeks. Before then, frost. Ask whoever you trust, the hatchlings will need all the help they can get. If you can move them safely, they must maintain a connection to the sea however."

So bringing them back to the Grove won't work. But there are caves and less exposed areas on the beach. He's camped in worse. He will Maintain.

"Understood."

"I do not know if I can reach out as easily again soon. If there is anything else you must ask- or say- do so now, my dear."

For all of Pure Vanilla's sacrifices, the forest is still her brother-in-law's territory- she can only do so much, weakened as she is.

"What do they need to hatch? Just heat? And what food and care?" Of course he's just thinking of the Babies. Screw himself.

Dear...

"They need warmth, yes, and presence. I believe the eggs may have resurfaced intentionally for their parents, but... few can enter the Black Sun's domain freely, so it is possible that they were separated while incubating.

When they hatch, they will take milks for two weeks before their fangs are strong enough to have solids, but at that point they can eat meat and fruit- their preferences will vary as any children would. Oh, but I don't know if they can have prepared foods...

They will be young for a very long time, so you will have time to learn and know them all."

So likely they will hatch soon. Good.

"Just like any child." He remembers Choco's picky years very well. "Do not worry. I will not fail you.

"I believe in you... and if you are by my statue, pray if need be. I will do everything I can to support you as well."

Ourania squeezes his hands gently.

"Take care of them, my dear Bitter Moon. And take care of yourself, as well. I'd cry if I were to learn you were in poor health, you know. You wouldn't want that, would you?" She smiles like she's making a joke but she's very serious.

...

But it's almost time to wake.

Ourania leans down and presses a soft, motherly kiss to Cacao's forehead.

"It is time to wake now, dear one. Be safe. I believe in you."

And Cacao will awaken, the hazy purple dawn shining through the window.

Dark Cacao's Inbox

Some time before it begins to snow...

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