“O’ child have you heard?
Of the Weeping King and his Pristine Queen
His body dark and grim of black
His eyes, stars, the glimmering beams...
Her body pale of honey and milk
So simple of design
She was benign
And her love touched the heart of her King...”
The sea monster droned, his massive head barely floating above the water. Thin waves churned slowly where his scales touched the ocean, and his expression was one of a solemn state. His great jaws barely moved, yet he sang something of beauty and grace, hypnotic and serene.
“O’ child have you heard?
Of the Weeping King and his Pristine Queen
As he ate of her honey and milk
With horror and a golden sheen...”
Equinox began to move through the water, he was close enough to the shore that he was able to stand on his front legs. With a sneer and a hiss, he dragged his way through the thick sand.
“Their Starving Prince
Meek and mild, his solace lost to the fate of birds
Lost to the world in his hurt and his anguish
Frightened of his Father’s words”
The gigantic Fiaclan toppled over onto the shore, his claws gripping the ground as he slithered his body over the beach. People gaped and stared up at him, entranced by his songs, horrified by his presence. How easy it would be for him to lean down and eat them...
“O’ child have you heard?
You are mine, and we are alone
Come to me and take this throne
However...”
The moon and stars bounced their light from his soaked scales, enamoring him in a state of terrible beauty. The Fiaclan kept his head high, seeming to be looking in one direction.
“Starving Prince, Devourer of Game
You lack the breath of the river
Your wings are thick as sails
However...”
He flexed his claws, admiring the webbing between them. His tail thrashed around, and he gawked at the beauty of his fins, the smoothness of his flippers. Large wing-like flippers caught the air like parachutes, and even they resembled stained glass.
“O’ child have you heard?
Of the Weeping King and his buried queen
Of your fate within the water’s gleam
Starving Prince...”
The crowd watched him as he sang his song, and their eyes drifted to catch where he was looking. They would look to the great hills and peaks on the other side of the city. They’d see beautiful plains and meadows of flowers, and a single road leading up to a grand castle.
The Gaisimmer castle.
“Come back to me
I’ll make you change.
My Starving Prince
Of flighting game.”
“Ow-” Jamison hissed, his hand flying over and smacking against his neck.
“Are you alright? Pulled something?” Dahl asked him, glancing up from the bed he lay upon. He was curled around their egg, and Dasiä slept soundly against his chest.
His husband was sitting up now, smiling down at the doctor and their wife. “I don’t know, probably just my nerves again. It’s fine now!” Jamison shrugged and sighed, nestling back down with his family.
"Everyone load up in the car, the appointment is in 30 minutes!" Dumplin' roared down the hall. The gentle sound of thunder outside made her yawn and squint. "I am not flying in this weather, either, so rain shoes too!"
“Shoes? We can’t wear shoes! Just these odd slip up socks with holes in them… They do no justice!” Jamison barked back, sighing from in the kitchen. He’d been prepping a plenty of small snacks for his wife, his husband criticizing him for giving in to her cravings. But did Jamie care? Nah.
“What’s a little rain going to do?” Dahl called out, slipping on a rain coat. The article of clothing at that size could have easily been used as a child’s blanket. “Ah well, never mind. Lightning. I’ll drive because Jamison is afraid of driving.”
His husband scoffed and prepped Skallen up for the weather, trying to worm her into her jacket. She had asked to visit the next appointment, and this was it. “It is NOT my fault that I find them claustrophobic!”
The next few minutes went by quickly, the Fiaclans bringing along with them their daughter and ziploc bags of fatty snacks for Dasiä, much to Dahl’s dismay.
They loaded up into the behemoth that was their vehicle. The family had quite a number of cars and trucks, most belonging to the castle staff. One of course as Dasiä’s own car, another being Jamison’s SUV type vehicle (but due to fear of driving, it was collecting dust). And finally there was Dahl’s- leviathan. It was like a truck but also the size of a tank. At least the streets were wide…
Once strapped in, Jamison held tightly onto the door frame, knuckles bone white in his grip. “Oh this will be exciting! I always love being able to see and hear the baby’s heartbeat…”
Whilst they waited, both fathers milled about to aid the passage of time. Dahl made sure to help keep Theo busy until uneeded, and Jamison sat perfectly still sp Dasia could rest. He fiddled a bit with his phone before abandoning it.
Dahl sat up first, gingerly taking Theodosia from her sister's lap. He cradled her up to his chest, arms large enough to hold the entirety of her small frame. Doctor Gaisimmer glanced back at his spouses to check up on them before heading in.
Jamison lifted his wife's head gently as not to stir her nauseated state. He whispered quietly, knowing her supreme hearing would catch it. "It's time to head in, just take it slow alright?" He smiled sweetly, standing up to help her along.
Cade spoke quietly to Adelaide, thanking her for bestowing the rings. “Repeat after me, Dasiä. I Dasiä Spatzen, promise to love and support Jamison and Dahl, and live each day with kindness, understanding, truth, humor, and passion. With this ring I thee wed.” He paused, signifying the end of the vow. “And place your rings upon them when you are finished.”
Jamison peered over at the wings, sighing contently. He had created these, practically begging his wife and husband to let him. They of course wouldn’t have seen the others’ desired design until now, so they still remained a surprise.
His ring to Dasiä had a gold band and a large triangular diamond to top it off. Small emeralds and sapphires dotted around it, perhaps to reflect his coloration. Dahl’s ring to her also had a gold band, except his diamond was cut into the shape of a diamond, and rubies dotted alongside it.
The red and white Fiaclan took these rings, giving Jamison his own. They were to wait to place these on Dasiä’s hands when it was their turn to give their vows. But she was first.
A short passage reflecting on Jamison during the Flight, as well as his three missing family members’ return. Featuring @dumplingaisimmer‘s characters.
Jamison’s leg bounced as he sat in the old wooden rocking chair, it groaned under the pressure exerted on it and the stress of its bearer threatened to break the piece of furniture.
(Cut because it’s a lil’ long)
It had been almost twenty hours since he’d received the call from his husband that he and his girls were in Chile, South America. Over the phone Dahl joked about the nice weather and lovely beaches, but his voice strained over the call. Jamie’s heartstrings ached at hearing it, only imagining what could be going on down there. Dahl still didn’t tell him what happened, all he said was that they had made a pit stop at a small island and things had gotten rough.
His phone call was cut off abruptly, Dahl losing battery life on the other line.
The Fiaclan at home stared at his phone screen, he didn’t even get a chance to talk to his wife nor his daughter. All he knew was that this whole event, this whole ordeal seemed to be a gathering of all of the Suurkedi species. But Jamison didn’t like how feral they seemed when they left…
He sighed, setting the small device aside on one of Theodosia’s drawers. James hadn’t slept since the three left, and that was three days ago. Was it three days? Four? A week? He held his head in his hands, his eyes squeezed shut to block out any terrible thoughts. He pictured a smooth lovely beach with a jungle nearby. Then he pictured it covered in blood and bodies, lust and screams of claws and teeth against flesh. He even saw them all- Dasiä, Skallen, Dahl- all still on the sand.
At least he wasn’t right about that last part.
Theodosia lay still in her bed, clutching tightly onto her blanket with all four hands. She hadn’t been doing so well either. Theo had fussed often with the loss of her mother and sister and father, not at all used to not hearing their voices. The small child would sob when Jamison went to her instead of Dasiä, but as the days grew on she eventually grew accustomed to the new change. James only hoped this change wasn’t forever.
As the days passed, Jamison would take his littlest dearest to daycare so he could continue working at his jewelers shop, but he quickly found himself being unproductive with this and resorted to staying home. But even there he did nothing but wait for his phone to go off, for that happy voice to say, “we’re coming home!”
The sun had eventually set, and still Jamison crouched in that old rocking chair. His eyes would fixate on his phone, then his daughter, and then the night sky. He wondered what the stars looked like in South America, and if his family could see the same ones he saw. Perhaps not, they were in the opposite hemisphere, but it soothed his mind temporarily.
Stars…
Was Skallen alright? Would he see her happy smiling face whenever she ask for something or watch movies together? Or what about Dahl? Would Jamie see that sly grin of his, and the way he huffed after a long shift? And Dasiä… Jamison whimpered under his breath, the sound trickling past his jaws to catch the attention of his pets and Theodosia. His daughter stirred and awoke from the sound, and he was more than eager to lull her back to sleep.
The phone rang.
The Fiaclan was in the kitchen when it happened, glaring down a lamb that had been carved in the fashion of a turkey. He intended to eat it but of course he had not felt well. Theo was at daycare now, and it was high time to go and retrieve her.
His claws fumbled with the buttons, often clacking against the screen just to answer the phone.
“Hello?” He inquired, his voice stuttering. The caller ID belonged to Dahl.
Dahl groaned on the other end, sounding absolutely exhausted. “Jamison…?” Even through the groggy voice, a hint of a smile could have been heard.
Jamison nearly burst into tears as he listened to Dahl’s tale. He was told about the long treacherous flight just to get to the small island, and how Suurkedi dropped like flies into the ocean just to rip each other apart. He was told how they met up with Nyle and the other Shrikes, and that Skallen had killed one on that island. “Burnt to a crisp” were Dahl’s exact words.
Candypants claimed that once they left the island, they made straight for Chile. There Dahl had lost control of his anger and slipped out of his contained form into his more ancestral image. Figures why he sounded so tired… Dahl continued, him having far too many run ins with the other Shrikes, but he had met up with Dasiä’s parents and even her old flock. That didn’t sound so bad!
But then he learned of the Peak. Jamison learned of the bloodshed and rut that the species shook with, and that in its first few moments hundreds of Suurkedi had been slain. The terrible images showed up in his head again as he continued. All three of them seemed to be torn up from the massacre, and all three of them had killed their fair share of dragons.
Jamison nearly dropped the phone, just trying to picture his family brutally murdering other dragons for their life. He was mortified, then frightened, then angry… so very angry. Why, if he were there he would have-
The Fiaclan steadied himself.
Dahl sighed into the phone. “Pumpkin is messed up pretty badly, I think she got the worst of all of us.”
“Why? What happened? Is she alright?” Dasiä could probably hear the panicked tone in his voice should she eavesdropped.
“Oh yes yes, she’s alright, she’ll be fine… When we get home, try not to talk to her too much about it.” His husband breathed, wincing audibly.
“What? What’s wrong with her? You’re scaring me love!”
“Just hang tight, we’re all in the hospital right now and I’m just about to pass out. We’re just getting some wounds stitched closed. We’re going to spend the night at a hotel before we head home, but there’s no way in hell we’re flying home, we’ll take a plane. Ah- Hm? Mmm… The girls say they love you and wish to talk more, but we’ve got a lot on our plate here.”
“Yes, yes indeed, of course! You three rest up, alright? I’ll have the castle ready for you, I love you! I love you all!” Jamie said, tears streaming down his face from built up emotion.
Dahl huffed on the other end, “Yeah, we’ll see you soon, Rionnag Bheag.”
The phone clicked, signifying the end to their conversation.
Jamison’s heart thumped agonizingly hard against his chest, they were all alive! All of them! His loves and his baby will be coming home so very soon… There goes his chance of sleeping tonight again, but at least it would be that of excitement.
Theodosia even caught on Jamison’s sparked mood, cooing and laughing more than what she had been while they all left.
The day passed and night fell, and the day passed once more. It was night once more as well. Jamison had tried to get Theo to sleep, but she simply couldn’t. She sensed her father’s eagerness and impatient pacing and couldn’t fall into slumber.
James didn’t mind, he just kept her on his hip as he stared out the top of the castle’s tower, that’s where his room was. It overlooked the entire city from the slope it was built on, and he was able to pick out the colors of cars squat in the middle of it. But eventually his fantastic eyes grew weary.
The Fiaclan sighed and hopped into his home elevator, he’d gotten it installed (and baby proofed) for easier access. It was easier than walking down five flights of stairs. Once he reached the ground floor he trudged down the empty halls, his pets Fiasco and Zuzu following silently behind.
Once he reached the main chamber he set Theo down in her walker, and immediately she tried to chase after the brightly colored monster dogs. The foyer was a mess of baby toys, the kitchen hadn’t been cleaned in days. Beds needed to be made and rooms had to be cleaned. It was usually if not always Jamison who cleaned after everyone, and he loved it dearly. But there wasn’t anyone to clean after right now…
Zuzu’s dorsal fin rose to its full height, and she cocked her head in the direction of the door. She stood on all six of her legs, head hung low as if trying to listen in. Fiasco barked at the double doors, his own fins flitting open and shut.
The doors were pushed open from the outside, and a deep familiar voice called out. “We’re home!”
Jamie’s claws gripped into the ground as he launched himself towards the front of the castle. He saw Dasiä first since Dahl sidestepped from his husband’s oncoming advancement. He wrapped his arms around her and tackled her, his wings supporting them both on the ground so they didn’t hit it. Instantly he covered every inch of her scales in kisses, lifting her up and picking her up into a hug.
“Jamison- James! Down! I’m still hurting…” Dasä winced at the contact, a chittering purr enticing from her chest.
He nuzzled that chest, and neck, and face, having been touch starved over the days. “Oh my dears… My precious dears, all of you, home together once more.” Jamison drew in a sharp intake of breath, looking to Dahl. He was met with a sloppy and exhausted grin that left into the depths of the castle, intent on starting up a gold bath to get his essence back.
He drew away from her, looking over her shoulder towards Skallen. James gasped at the sight of his daughter, her horns broken and ragged, and one of her entire wings were gone. This was replaced with a lone amputated stump with gauze and pristine white bandages wrapped around it.
Jamison approached her, getting down on his knees to meet her height. “Oh… princess…” He croaked out, drawing her in for the gentlest and sweetest loving hug he could muster.
Dahl let out his own growl, but it morphed into a huff and a grunt. He couldn’t tell if the younglings were fighting or playing, but Adelaide’s calm behavior made him take the latter.
“She’s done so much thus far.” He said quietly. “I’m sure you’ve heard of the news.” He thought back to her hiding in fear, to her destroying a Shrike, killing a human...
Dahl listened in silently to their conversation. Peak? What’s a peak? The Fiaclan rose up from his haunches, towering over his tiny wife. “You haven’t told me a lot of things about this Flight, my queen.” His voice sounded pained, and it was true. She never told him or Jamison about this migration, what it was for and why.
The Fiaclan leaned his head down, pressing it against her own as he stared her down. “But I do not like the sound of this ‘peak.’” He ‘hmm’ed in displeasure, the deepness reverberating through his chest and to Dasiä herself, enough to make anyone’s spine rattle. “Whatever it is, I’m sure I’ve seen enough damage already to take it so... lay it on me.”
(Continued from here) @dumplingspatzen (sorry i keep doing continues, don’t wanna clutter anyone’s dashes!)
Monsters of all shapes and sizes watched them as they entered, most were friends, and a few others must have been invited by Jane, who was standing near a table with refreshments. She was clapping her little hands together, her tail nearly knocking over the drinks. All around were smiling and happy faces.
Dahl clasped his hands together behind his back after he put his coat away, he stretched his arms and sighed in contentment. Jamison was just now creeping back over to them, a big happy grin on his face as if he felt his own sense of pride.
They both looked down at her when she turned to face them, their eyes lighting up at her curtsy. Dahl rolled his eyes, smiling the widest he’d ever been. Jamison nodded quickly, and both bowed to her, such a classy way to begin a dance.
They took her hands and led her deeper into the living space, patrons moving out of their way to give them space. “It’d be an honor.” They said together, faces red and green.
