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drip
The cavern contained mountains of gold, jewels, and three dragons, each a different color. But most prevalent in the cave was the stifling awkwardness, seemingly magnified by the massive space.
The youngest, a sunset orange and sprightly male, kept shifting from foot to foot. A tiny stab wound in his talon bled onto the floor.
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The steady drip-drop of water somewhere felt like a clock ticking to his imminent fate.
The two older dragons before him glanced at each other, one a brilliant gold and the other black as obsidian. The latter broke the silence with a little cough. "So, son. You're getting very good at this kidnapping thing."
They all winced as an infuriated "HEY, FATASS PISSWORM!" echoed down the passageway. Followed by the unmistakable sounds of objects undergoing physical destruction, including something that shattered into pieces.
The young dragon muttered under his breath something that sounded suspiciously like, "I am not fat," while the black male looked disgruntled.
"I hope that's not the iridium vase."
The ears of his orange offspring flattened. It was definitely the iridium vase.
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"This human is certainly...spirited." The golden female offered. "And he does that demonstration with his paws quite a lot."
"They're called fists, mom."
"Mm, it's very cute," his father agreed.
The dragoness addressed her son kindly. "We were just curious, dear. There are quite a few lovely princesses across the land these days. Your cousin found one out in the north a little while ago, sweet girl."
The young dragon's snout twisted into an impertinent scowl. The fact that his snobby, fancyscale cousin whose nose spent more time in the air than the clouds found his life partner first had been rubbed relentlessly in his face by said cousin.
"They're probably less likely to stab you than this grumpy one you picked up. Hence, you were supposed to find a princess." The ebony dragon said.
His son glanced away with a frown. His tail hugged a nearby stalagmite like a little kid holding onto someone's thumb.
"I just think it's a bit sexist." He mumbled.
His golden mother hummed gently in her throat. "That's very insightful of you, honey. But princesses usually have the best treasures in their dowries--"
A deranged yell in the distance gave her pause. "COME OUT, FUCKIN' HELL WHORE!"
In the following moment of stunned silence the orange dragon seemed to shrink into himself.
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He coughed loudly. "Yes, well, the men can be worth more. Ransom wise. You know, as the heir." His tail inched up the stalagmite like a nervous worm. "And kidnapping princesses would be easier if there was no prince to come after them."
"Ooh, quite ingenious, spark of my fire!" His father's bright eyes beamed at him like two moons in a dark night.
Said spark wrinkled his nose, while the dragoness brushed a vast wing against her partner's in an affectionate gesture. She redirected her gaze back to her son, slightly concerned umber meeting jittery umber. "Building up your trove is great, sweetie. I just thought you wanted to find your love as soon as possible. She'll need time to adjust after all; shifting into a dragon can be a jarring process."
"I can wait," he shrugged. His image of nonchalance was only disturbed by his twitching claws, which dug grooves into the floor as another shout echoed up the caves.
"DRY ASS BITCH! I WILL SHIT ON EVERY FUCKIN' SHINY THING IN HERE!" Each word was punctuated by a heavy clang of metal banging into metal.
The golden dragoness fixed her snout with a mild expression, pointedly not looking toward the source. "If you're sure, ember. What kingdom did you find him in again?"
"The one to the south, near the desert."
She curled her tail thoughtfully. "Then he would be Prince Luppi, as I recall."
"Uh, no, he's not." The young dragon folded his wings in, embarrassment creeping back into his expression.
His mother's eyes narrowed with a twinkle between amusement and exasperation. "I see. That's when he stabbed you, isn't it?"
He glanced away sheepishly, fidgeting with his claws.
"Oh, gods. I think he really is shitting," his father interjected abruptly. His tongue flicked rapidly and his scaly brows rose in horror. "Definitely pissing, too."
"I should go check on him." The young orange dragon edged hurriedly toward the mouth of the tunnel.
"Just try not to get stabbed again, honey."
"Oh, and son," the dark dragon called as his tail disappeared into the tunnel. "There's nothing wrong with being a little rounded! Your cousin--"
A blast of flame erupted from the tunnel mouth and singed his horns. Blinking away the layer of soot on his eyelids, the black dragon chuckled lowly in his throat. "He's a regular chip off the old scale. I do hope whatever lady he ends up with can handle him. It'll probably be soon, right, darling?"
She patted his talon patiently, a smile not quite hidden on her snout. "Of course, my love."