Just something I thought I'd do for fun while enjoying my break and writing silly things for fun. These are my own headcannons about FICTIONAL CHARACTERS please don't come at me with hate over fictional cartoon cookies of all things.
Warnings for some injuries(claiming bites), yandere behaviors, obsessive behaviors, etc.
COURTING PROCESS:
-When choosing a mate it's going to be different for every dragon. Some dragons prefer a mate that can equal to them in strength, some prefer a stronger mate to take care of them, some prefer a weaker mate to take care of and protect. Some don't care at all about strength and instead go for other traits such as personality comparability, looks, the wealth they have, how good of a provider they can be, or how good of a parent they can be for future young. Sometimes it's a whole mix of these things. But again it depends on the dragon and varies from dragon to dragon.
-However one thing stays the same with every dragon. All dragons are VERY picky when it comes to even considering someone a potential mate candidate. The courting process also varies from different types of dragons but most of the initial patterns are the same. When first catching a dragon's eye usually the dragon first goes through a 'platonic trial process'. By that I mean they spend time both observing and spending time with said potential mate in a strictly platonic way to see how they like them in general before considering anything romantic. This platonic process usually lasts anywhere between 1-3 years because as stated before, dragons are very picky about who they allow around their nests/thrones and potentially raising young with and want to be sure about taking things to the next level before committing to it.
-During this process, dragons are usually kinda more friendly offering platonic gifts that wouldn't mean anything in the long run in case they decide not to pursue them further. Such as the same gifts a platonic best friend would give you. Maybe buying you lunch one time or offering to help you with an errand such as picking up groceries for you on occasion or helping you weed the garden, those sorta things. They want to gauge how their potential darling reacts to their true personalities and how they are before making a choice. If they decide not to pursue or the Darling doesn't show interest, they usually leave to look elsewhere without another word. Cookies do not know a lot about the courting process of a dragon, so a dragon who they consider to be a good friend usually is a dragon in the early courting process making a lot of misunderstandings happen for dragons who decide to court a cookie for whatever reason. After all if they can like each other in a strictly platonic way, then surely you can love each other in a romantic way! That is their thinking process.
-During this platonic state usually they don't let you into their homes, meet any family they have, or really show any form of affection or actions that can be seen as romantic interest. They see things such as letting you see their throne/nest, meeting their families/clans, and letting you into their territories as things only reserved for mates/ones they're courting in a romantic way so if a dragon travels from their home alot to random places they wouldn't be usually, that's a big reason why. Usually they prefer to meet in neutral locations such as towns, forests, etc during the platonic trial part of the journey.
-If the dragon decides that yes, they indeed like you and believe the other also has shown similar interest, they will initiate the courting process by offering a 'First Courting Gift' this makes or breaks the next step of their process. They will offer something considered highly valuable to that particular dragon. It's not always something physical either and again this gift varies from dragon to dragon. Maybe a dragon who has an aversion to touch offers you out of the blue to hug them, or maybe someone like Lotus Dragon Cookies gifts you a petal from the flower on their head, maybe someone like Pitaya Dragon Cookie offers to actually let you have a turn of swinging their sword, etc. Again the First Courting Gift depends from dragon to dragon. Although the most commonly thing offered is usually a piece of their treasure hoard or a scale. If the object of their romantic desire accepts, that means they have given the dragon giving the gift permission to start romantically pursuing them. If you reject the offer or seem displeased by it, then they take that as a rejection and to seek courtship elsewhere. Again cookies aren't too knowledgeable about dragon courting rituals, so what seems like a harmless gift from a good friend is really giving them permission to start 'dating' you in their language.
-The romantic courting process is usually shorter than the platonic part of the courting process. Around 1 1/2 to 2 years at the longest but they still want to court them for a while as said, they are very picky and want to be sure they are the one/gives the other a chance to call it off if they do not feel compatible. So enough time to make sure both parties are feeling right while also giving the courtee time to call it off. Again most cookies in the past who were courted by dragons did absolutely not know about this and thus had no idea the dragon though they were dating. From the cookies' perspective, they just had a really good friend which makes it a lot more dangerous if the cookie was already in a relationship or liked someone else.
COURTSHIP BEHAVIORS:
-During this part of the process dragons want to prove themselves as good partners to their mate. So a lot of new behaviors happen during this time:
Proving they can provide for them: Prepare for bags of fruit and veggies or dead prey to be dropped off constantly at your house, this happens at least once a week. They'll go out of their way to look for the sweetest fruits, the tastiest veggies, hunt the fattiest and/or biggest prey- Sometimes they'll instead buy highly fancy meals instead. EX: Longan Dragon Cookie or Lotus Dragon Cookie are more likely to tell their personal chef to make you the most elaborate/expensive meals or to buy the nicest looking foods from bakeries/restaurants they know you like. Providing nesting materials or protection also falls under this catagory. They take your tastes into account so don't be surprised if Pitaya suddenly shows up with a cup of coffee they know you like they stole from an innocent cookie they threatened at sword point. They will also show off wealth with elaborate gifts. Want a dress you saw one day in the window at the local clothing store but didn't have enough money? Boom! It's mailed to your house the next day. Comment on liking a friend's bracelet? TADA!! A better diamond studded one is handed right over to you! Complain about how expensive it is to hire a plumber to fix the annoying drip in your bathroom sink? A plumber arrives on your doorstep not a day later paid so well that he fixes all your pipes while he's there.
Nesting behavior: They'll start offering to help cleaning up around your 'nest' house more, and bring more 'nesting materials' for it too. You'll answer a knock at the door and a dragon will be standing there with a bag of new furniture or lots of pillows and blankets for your bed. This also includes rearranging your house to their taste, painstakingly cleaning it from floor to ceiling even if you've already deep cleaned everything, throwing out something that irks them being there- Nesting instincts are VERY strong during this time so if you want them to not throw out your grandma's antique desk or try to scrub the bathtub for the millionth time, you have to tell them. This preening behavior of their environment also goes both ways. They'll want both your 'nest' to be perfect to their standards, and their own territory/home as well. So many, many, MANY days are solely dedicated to painfully go through their territories cleaning it up, making it free from intruders, and looking it's best before even considering bringing you to look at your soon-to-be home. They want to make sure you'll like your new home once you fully accept them.
Being a good partner : Showing that they have the means to be a good loyal partner(cheating is a BIG no no in dragon society), they can provide and be a good mate for any future offspring, can protect them, etc. These behaviors include showing feats of strength to prove not only can they hunt potential prey but also protect their mate and their future offspring. Sometimes they will talk another dragon into sparing with them to show off their strength (such as Pitaya talking Hollyberry into sparing with them to impress the lady cookie by showing how strong they were). More protective instincts also happens during this time. If you have any enemies or anyone causing you problems, prepare for them to either be beaten nearly to crumbling into flour to intimidation to flat out killing them. Sometimes they'll see others as threats when they really aren't. Encounter one Karen you have on the job in a passing comment? They're missing that night. Casually mention the time you and your siblings were mean to each other as dumb little kids? Expect next time for the dragon to hiss and have a talk with your family about treating you better. Mentioned how annoyed you are with the neighbor constantly letting his cake hound poop on your lawn? The cake hound is digesting in their stomach as the owner frantically looks for their missing pet. They won't even mention they did it because they assume the courting cookie already know about the process. Dragons are surprisingly good listeners and remember little things you say so be careful.
If you have a boyfriend/girlfriend/fiance already or someone you have a crush on, they'll see it as a challenge and try to one up their rival suitor. After all it wasn't uncommon back in the olden age of dragons for a dragon to have more than one suitor, so this is considered a normal part of the courting process to them. Prepare for the other boyfriend/fiance/girlfriend to be bombarded by glares, hisses, the dragons puffing up their chests and baring fangs to make themselves look bigger. Other times they'll be challenged to a duel over who gets to court you. Most of the time though, they'll be one up-ing said lover. Oh? They got you flowers? Lotus Dragon has Hydrangea Cookie gather the most beautiful flowers in Lotus Paradise and sends them to you in a much BIGGER bouquet. They took you out on a fun trip? Lychee Dragon drags you to the best shows and carnivals on earth bread FOR FREE courtesy of (threatening-) bribing the carnival owners. Oh! He brought you your favorite food? Ananas Dragon prepares the most beautiful looking, tastiest tropical island fruit Pineapple Island has to offer.
And of course being a good partner also means being a good member of the family as well. Dragons are big into family bonds and promises, as headcannoned by how Pitaya is so dedicated to keeping his word, how Ananas tried to protect his Islanders by sending them away before Longan could come back around to his isle and turn them to stone, and how much Longan placed value on seeing more of their kind. If you have any relatives be prepared for them to also receive gifts on their doorstep and a helping hand(even if reluctantly) from the dragon and for the dragon to insist on you meeting any family of theirs however you don't get to meet their family until much later into the romantic courting process. They usually meet your family first before you meet theirs, they want to leave a good impression on your family and vise versa as it's an important topic for them, especially if they're considering starting a family with you after this/allowing you near their family at all. So expect Pitaya to insist on having play dates with Snapdragon out of nowhere one day or Longan suddenly bluntly introducing you to their offspring Dragon Eye Cookie or for Ananas to finally allow you to meet the members of the Mango Tribe after so long. They will be paying VERY close attention to how you interact with their family/who they consider family. If you're of course polite and try to get along with them, they'll see that as a good sign you're the one. Or in cases like Pitaya and Longan, a good mother candidate for their child.
Looking physically/bodily pleasant : This applies both outwardly looks wise and in general health overall. Like their territories, dragons will want to look appealing for their love during this process so a lot of preening goes into making themselves look their best. Lots more baths, more time polishing their scales/removing loose scales, polishing their armor in Pitaya's case, brushing their hair out if they usually don't care about that, etc. Basically just looking as clean and pleasing to the eye as possible. After all a good looking mate usually means a mate in good health and a much better likely one to be accepted. This also is when a lot of physical feats/tricks/showing off their body come into play. Mating dances, sparring, showing off strength in ways such as lifting up heavy objects, flexing their muscles, bringing them prey/enemies bodies also applies here, serenading, etc. Showing off their powers is also a part of this showing how good they have honed their bodies to handle it- Ex: Lychee Dragon will show how they can shape shift.
THE FINAL STAGES:
-When the dragon feels enough sufficient process has been made/enough time has passed, they will offer one final gift. This IS a proposal. This IS also very dangerous for the other if they have no idea what's going on because once they say yes or accept thinking it's just another friendly present, there is absolutely NO going back!! Dragon mate for life. Or until one of them dies, even then they rarely ever take a mate after. The gift is something precious to them. Usually it's a scale from their body or in some cases something else personal such as Pitaya or Lotus will kneel before you and offer their beloved sword or mandalin waiting for your reaction. This gift is given silently as they believe actions speak louder than words, and to them this is a test FOR THEM. Not you. If you accept then that means THEY earned YOUR trust. YOUR acceptance. YOUR love. This is your LAST CHANCE to reject them and not have your life ruined. If you asks them what's going on they'll remain silent seeing it as a part of the test leaving you standing there. If you awkwardly or confusedly accept the gift, then your fate is sealed. This is literally their proposal and vows! You accepting the gift is to them the equivalent of saying "I do" at the alter.
-That's when the 'mating bond' will be set in. The last thing to do is to finally claim you, and by that I mean is that they'll bite down hard enough on your shoulder to not only drawl blood but also to scar permanently. If you kick, scream, cry, and try to hit them Prepare for the dragon to be shocked by the sudden rejection from their mate. They're confused and angry by the rejection, especially if you go running to your actual lover. Prepared for them to come after you, to bring you back to their home. In their mind you're THEIR mate now. Anyone else now is an enemy and don't be surprised if your other lover is full on killed by them. The mating bond will be strong, being drawn to you and being able to seemingly track you everywhere. Dragons are naturally yanderes once they're mated whether that be to another dragon or a cookie. There's no such thing as divorce and the only way out is if one of you passes away. If you fake your death, they will still feel you're alive through the mating bond. There's no going back once that bite is placed. There's no escape. So it's best to reject any dragon that comes across your way.
MINOR BONUS TIDBITS:
-On the light hearted side- Some lighter mating habits includes:
-Play fighting and sparring with their mates, so if the dragons suddenly start trying to pick a fight, it's not malicious but they like to sometimes spare with their mate as a form of bonding, playing, or helping to train them to protect themselves. So you fighting back after they take you might not register as you actually trying to get away at first.
-Play chase. So if you try to run away, they might see it as you playing or playing hard to get.
-Preening. Taking baths together and spending time 'preening' you, aka brushing your hair or 'sharpening your claws'(filing your nails) is also a type of bonding experience between mates often pulling loose scales from each other. Sometimes you'll have to remind them you'd prefer baths instead of them licking you.
-Physical touch. Standing close to you, touching you in someway even if it's just their tail touching your leg, cuddling, preening also falls under this, carrying you, etc. The quickest way to get them purring would be offering to massage them. They'll be in your lap purring like a cat in no time.
-Praise! Praise! Praise! ALL dragons want praise. Especially ones with big egos like Ananas or Pitaya. The want to be praised and to know they're being a good mate.
Kinda interesting how some elements of Tower and Ovenbreak are seen or heard together. You have the 9th anniversary update referencing the Tower, the Star Coal Express, and Twisted Donut literally appears in the update's trailer. The Teenieping event also referenced Tower in one scene. Then you have Navis mentioning that the Apsaragus Dragons were resented by the other dragon tribes.
Could just stay as references, but I also wouldn't be too surprised if they choose to connect both games at some point. Dragons are currently a big focus in Ovenbreak (and soon, in Kingdom) after all.
