>>5863871>Wait. Then ask. There has to be a reason for this. Your emotions are rolling around within you, but you have to learn more before you let them burst free. Calmly work your way through this and try to figure out mother’s intentions. You swallow down your feelings, and take some time to calm yourself. Your flight reflex is still acting up, causing your vines to twitch involuntarily. As your legs flail in the air, your muscles twitch in preparation to run and burrow. Mother is silent, like before, and as she brings you through the trees, you recognise that there's no scolding or admonishment coming. She's calm, and your body slowly begins to mirror that. Once your nerves aren't firing off, you ask her:
<span class="mu-i">Why?</span>
In response, dozens of images flood your mind, and you slowly understand.
<span class="mu-s"><span class="mu-i">That was no dragon, my child.</span></span>
And indeed, it wasn't. In Valkemare, there are countless different breeds of dragons, and an unacquainted mind might have trouble telling them apart. The creature you were playing with was a drake—a lesser cousin. No wonder there was no exchange of thoughts. Despite the shape of its body, it's no smarter than an animal. It has none of the emotional depth that dragons, or even the distant two-legged folk hold. Swatting it is akin to crushing a rabbit.
If you had run afoul of it, it would have fought for its life like any other animal. There are species of drakes who are highly aggressive, and a hatchling like you would have little chance of overpowering those. Better to quash them before they come too close to the clearing.
Though you began to appreciate that creature's company, its life held no value in the end. Unlike your friend, who is merely a neighbour. Mother would not hesitate to strangle them if they approached the clearing, but out in the wilderness, they will be left alone.
The new understanding dawns on you, and you're glad that you took the time to learn more before making judgements. That analytical nature will be helpful in the future. You're rapidly maturing, and your mind must keep up with your body. This is a good start.
Mother is not ignorant to the sense of loss, however. She gives you a rare, tender moment of reassurance. Perhaps one day, when you're grown, you can find another drake to do as you wish to. When you create your den, it is yours, until you deem to share it.
The rest of the trip passes in silence.
~~
