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Hatching a dragon egg was not an easy feat, not even for the famous alchemist Gold. Especially not if said dragon egg was created artificially, through methods that were…questionable at best.
Rhinedottir knew she walked a fine line between moral ambiguity and moral negligence, but that was the price one had to pay for acquiring new knowledge.
And besides, Alice was always there to make sure she didn’t stray too far from the right path. The woman was far from a saint herself, which was exactly why Rhinedottir liked her so much, but she had a slightly better grasp on what was considered an acceptable experiment and what wasn’t.
As it turned out, creating artificial life was still considered fine in her book. Which was all the better for her really, because Rhinedottir would have conducted the experiment regardless of whether she’d obtained her friend’s permission or not.
‘Is it close to hatching yet?’ Alice whispered just a little too loudly next to her, eyes fixated on the purplish red egg that was glowing in the makeshift incubator Rhinedottir had been keeping in her lab.
‘Not if you keep being so loud.’ Rhinedottir whispered back, knowing the other was incapable of being quiet whatsoever.
‘I’m sorry, it’s just the maternal feelings taking over!’ Alice replied excitedly. ‘We’re going to be moms, Rhine.’
At that, Rhinedottir’s cheeks flushed, her cheeks puffing up out of frustration in what could only be described as a pout. Something she’d deny to the grave, needless to say.
‘Are you mental?’ she hissed. ‘I’m an alchemist, not a mother. This is serious research we’re doing here, not some science fair pet project.’
‘Do you think they’ll call you mama?’
‘It.’ Rhinedottir corrected her. ‘And it most definitely will not do anything of the sort.’
‘But what if—’
‘Alice!’
Alice merely gave her a sheepish grin in response, an amused glint in her eyes that didn’t do anything to help make the flush on Rhinedottir’s cheeks go away. She’d never cared about her creatures in a maternal way, and she wasn’t about to start now.
Just as she managed to avert her gaze back to the egg though, minor cracks now visible in its shell, Alice spoke up again.
‘What will you name them?’
‘Alice.’ Rhinedottir warned her.
That was clearly the wrong thing to say, because the woman then let out an obnoxiously fake gasp, before covering her mouth dramatically.
‘Aww, Rhine…I didn’t know you cared enough about me to name your first born after me. I’d have brought a gift if I’d known!’
‘I am this close to kicking you out—’
‘Does that make me their godmother?’
‘Will you shut up for one second?!’
As much as Rhinedottir appreciated Alice’s presence most of the time, she sure knew how to put her on edge. The other possessed a brilliantly clever brain, capable of understanding even the most difficult of explanations, yet instead of using said intelligence to her advantage, she seemed happier acting like a ditz.
Of course it was all an act, as Rhinedottir was well aware, but she played her part frustratingly well.
‘Naming something only makes you get too attached.’ she spoke, deciding to do Alice the honour of replying at least. ‘With how fragile alchemy is, we can’t allow ourselves to get close to our subjects, lest we break our own hearts in the process.’
‘I know, I know…’ Alice replied, sounding a little softer and a little more sincere than before. She seemed to have gotten the hint, and while she was still unable to contain her excitement entirely, she visibly calmed down ever so slightly. ‘I’m just happy to be sharing this with you. I enjoy being part of your projects.’
‘And I enjoy you wanting to be part of them.’ Rhinedottir admitted with a sigh.
Both women went quiet instantly as an unmistakable cracking sound could be heard, their eyes focussed on the egg once more.
It was moving a little now, the mysterious glow coming from it pulsing almost as if the very egg itself was alive. Whatever was in there was making quite a fuss to get out.
‘I wonder if it’ll look like you.’ Alice whispered. ‘Didn’t you use a bit of your own DNA to—’
‘Shh…’ Rhinedottir hissed, putting her hand over Alice’s mouth before quickly pulling it back because the other had decided to lick it.
Despite the frustratingly familiar action though, Rhinedottir found herself unable to tear her eyes away from this new creation now no matter how hard she tried. She wanted to bear witness to the very moment it hatched. Wanted to see the creature’s eyes land on her and recognize her as its creator.
Okay, perhaps she was feeling a little maternal.
Archons damn Alice.
The moving of the egg grew more violent now, a little clawed paw pushing off the first bits of shell, indicating more was soon to follow. If the creature was strong enough to get out of its egg without help, that was the first sign it would be strong enough to make it. Hatchlings that required help rarely made it past the first few weeks after all.
‘It’s so cute.’ Alice spoke up again.
‘Are you physically even capable of keeping your mouth shut?’
‘Oh come on, you know me better than that~’
More cracking sounds could be heard from inside the incubator, and Rhinedottir could swear she heard little growls now too.
‘By the seven…’
‘I thought you were an atheist?’
‘Will you just—’
Another claw pushed out of the egg then, rendering Rhinedottir unable to speak out of sheer admiration and curiosity. A tiny wing soon followed, another unfolding not long after.
As the small, purple dragon crawled out of its egg, Rhinedottir felt mesmerized.
‘It’s beautiful.’ she whispered, her voice barely loud enough to be heard. The creature was looking at her now, which made a sense of pride swell in her chest ever so slightly. She wouldn’t say they were bonding per se, but they were establishing some sense of familiarity at the very least.
‘Duh Rhine, of course they would be beautiful if they’re created with your DNA.’ Alice whispered as well, albeit a lot louder.
Upon hearing the unfamiliar noise, the baby dragon’s big red eyes focussed on the one who’d caused it.
Rhinedottir’s heart fell.
‘Alice, what have you—’
‘Wait, wait, they imprinted on you, right?’ Alice spoke, actually sounding a little panicky now. ‘I could see their cute little eyes looking at you like craving a parent. I didn’t mean to ruin your-…Rhine I’m so sorry, fuck-…I swear I didn’t mean to-…’
Upon seeing Alice genuinely feel guilty about her actions, Rhinedottir decided to be merciful. She was a little frustrated perhaps, but not for the reasons the other thought.
‘I wouldn’t have invited you here if there was any risk of it imprinting on the wrong person.’ she mused, crossing her arms as she did.
‘…But?’ Alice asked, knowing that wasn’t all.
‘But I thought we’d been clear on the naming thing.’ Rhinedottir added.
‘Wait, what?’
In the meantime, the dragon had decided it was more interested in the remaining egg shells, the two squabbling women no longer as interesting now that they refused to give it attention. The perfect opportunity for Rhinedottir to point out Alice’s mistake.
‘Duh, Rhine.’ she spoke, making sure to put emphasis on the words.
The dragon turned around almost immediately, looking up at her with its beady eyes expectantly.
‘Oh.’ Alice breathed out, although it was unclear whether it was from relief or embarrassment.
‘Yeah.’ Rhinedottir sighed. ‘Definitely not the worst thing that could have happened, but frustrating nonetheless.’
‘I’m so sorry Rhine!’ Alice brought out. ‘I’ll…I’ll…I’ll babysit them to make up for it!’
‘As if you wouldn’t have demanded to babysit him regardless of what had happened.’ she replied, unable to entirely hold back her amused laugh. Alice had a habit of doing that to her, for better or worse.
From the way Alice’s eyes went wide, Rhinedottir realized it was her that had made a mistake this time.
‘So they’re a he, hm?’ Alice mused.
‘Shut up.’
‘Not a chance~!’
Rhinedottir should have known this would happen upon inviting Alice; chaos and mischief itself personified.
‘I guess we could shorten it to Durin?’ Alice suggested, turning as serious as she was capable of once more. ‘Sounds a little better at least.’
‘You know, that’s not half that bad a name.’
Just as she thought Alice had redeemed herself by finding this creative solution however, the woman spoke up again.
‘So is this the point where I call you a MIL—’
That day, baby Durin bore witness to violence for the first time in his life.