drowning in starlit dreams

Caldarus hated to see you like this, exhausted and sick with worry. Within the last two months, Tephra had proved to be an exceptionally difficult child to wean. The two of you had slowly tried to introduce her to new foods, which initially had been an exciting prospect for Caldarus. He couldn't wait to introduce his daughter to the delicious bounty nature could provide! But as the weeks wore on with no success, and the more and more foods Tephra refused, the more anxious the two of you became.

Afternoons that were once occupied with family outings to the town were now spent in the kitchen, making dish after dish to see what foods little Tephra would like. To her credit, Tephra did try them all, but she also refused them all, either spitting up or pushing the food away like it had personally offended her.

And unfortunately, the milk porridge that you were currently offering her was likely to be no exception.

Tephra leaned forward and braved the tiniest bite from your spoon. Both you and Caldarus watched in silence, desperately hoping against the odds that she'd like it, but then Tephra scrunched up her little nose and proceeded to carefully spit out a puddle of drool soaked porridge onto the kitchen table.

You and Caldarus both groaned as you sank in your seats, utterly defeated for the day.

(***)

"Is this normal for dragon children?" You asked Caldarus later that night as he rocked Tephra to sleep.

Your husband searched through the memories of his childhood, trying to find an answer. But in truth, Caldarus had been the youngest of his dragon clutchmates, and the moment he was old enough he'd been proverbially 'kicked out of the nest' as it were. Therefore, he couldn't remember if either he, or his dragon siblings, had been difficult when it came to matters such as these.

"Let's ask Seridia tomorrow."

If he hadn't been so exhausted, Caldarus would have laughed at the look of complete surprise on your face.

"Seridia? Are you sure?" You asked.

"Of course." Caldarus yawned, tucking Tephra into her crib before joining you in your shared bed. "Regardless of our differences, Seridia is a fountain of knowledge when it comes to dragon-kind. She may know what to do."

After a quick breakfast the following morning, you, Tephra and Caldarus promptly made your way to Seridia's home. Tephra wiggled with energetic anticipation in her father's arms as the three of you journeyed past the mines and deep into the Western Ruins.

You laughed seeing the eagerness on your daughter's face.

"One would imagine we were headed to the best place in all of Mistria."

"To her it is," Caldarus sighed in the way only a fretful parent could. "I'll make sure she doesn't get into Seridia's void crystals again."

Upon your family's arrival, Seridia's scarlet eyes lit up like stars. She rushed over to Caldarus and with a quick motion scooped up a giggling Terpha into her arms.

"Good morning my little blossom! How is my beautiful niece today? Tell me, have you learned to breathe fire yet? Surely you have. You have the makings of a great dragon after all. I have no doubt that you'll master these skills far quicker than your father did."

Caldarus' less than pleased frown went poignantly ignored by Seridia. Quietly, you leaned against your husband and secretly entwined your fingers with his, thanking him for enduring his older sister's jabs for your little one's sake.

"Actually, we're here because we need your help." You said.

"Oh?" the Witch Queen questioned, sitting Tephra down on her desk and handing her a void crystal so she could entertain herself. Without missing a beat, Caldarus promptly plucked the magical object out of his daughter's hands and replaced it with a Breath of Flame he'd fished from his robes. Luckily, Tephra didn't seem to mind in the least. With wide amber eyes she cooed and pressed the beautiful glowing flower to her face.

"Yes," you continued. "We're having trouble weaning Tephra off her milk. We've tried to introduce her to lots of foods but she doesn't seem to like any of them. Is this normal for dragon children?"

"Hmm," Seridia pondered. "Well, dragon children aren't known to be particularly picky eaters, but perhaps Tephra simply has a more refined palate than most."

"Refined?" You and Caldarus asked in unison.

"Yes," Seridia grinned. "Like her auntie."

Caldarus rolled his eyes, but he offered no complaints once Seridia agreed to help. The rest of the morning was spent presenting Tephra with a variety of dishes that were "fit for a queen" as Seridia described them. Spell fruit parfait, monster mash, queen berry pie, and even essence bloom tea. However by lunchtime, the lot of you came to the sad conclusion that Tephra was far from impressed with any of it. She even tossed the monster mash onto the floor, much to Seridia's chagrin.

"She is indeed her father's daughter." Seridia huffed as she helped herself to the leftover tea.

Despite the underhanded insult, Seridia's words sparked Caldarus' interest.

"Tell me, Seridia." Caldarus said, scooping up his little sprout as the three of you prepared to leave. "Was I similar to Tephra as a child?"

Seridia snorted, regarding her younger brother silently for a few seconds before taking another sip of her tea.

"Yes, in a manner of speaking. She is much more clever than you ever were though."

Caldarus smiled down gently at Tephra, tucking a wild strand of ocean colored hair behind her ear.

"On that we can agree."

(***)

Following the failure of the day before, both you and Caldarus decided to take Tephra to the Sleeping Dragon Inn and ask Reina for help. Reina, of course was more than happy to lend a hand.

"Don't you two worry one bit. We're sure to find something that Tephra likes!" She said.

Both you and Reina worked the kitchen all afternoon, whipping up dish after dish of the Inn's specialties. Caldarus was joined by Balor and Ryis, who both helped to entertain Tephra with magic tricks and toys the carpenter had fashioned. The sound of your daughter's melodious laughter rang between the Inn's wooden beams and it helped to ease your mind, even just for a while.

By the time you and Reina finished, it seemed like the whole town had arrived at the inn, each person eager to see what foods would win little Tephra's favor.

"I wonder if she's got a sweet tooth like me?" Eiland wondered aloud, patting Tephra's head while not so subtly inspecting her horns. "I haven't known anyone to dislike chocolate cake, or pudding, or cookies, or…"

"Unfortunately, Tephra doesn't seem to like any of those. Believe me, we've tried." Caldarus sighed.

By the early evening, you and Reina brought out the steaming dishes one by one, filling the inn with the warmth of spices and delicious smells. Caldarus sat Tephra up on his lap and gently offered her a bite from each plate. You sat opposite them, watching your little one like a hawk as your heart pounded in your chest.

"Come my little darling," Caldarus softly encouraged. "Please, try it."

Tephra, not wanting to disappoint her father, did try each dish. And each dish, she sourly rejected before electing to use some of them as projectiles out of frustration. Defeated once more, both you and Caldarus made your way home, offering fake smiles to your friends as they bid you reassurances and goodnights. You cradled a yawning Tephra, worry nipping at your heels each step of the way. What did this mean for Tephra? Would she become sick if all she accepted was milk? How could she get all the vitamins and nutrients she needed to grow healthy and strong?

That night after putting Tephra to bed, Caldarus found you buried beneath the bed covers. Softly, he called your name, and when you didn't emerge he pulled the covers back only to reveal your downtrodden face doused in a river of distressed tears.

"Oh my love," Caldarus hushed, collecting and cradling you in his arms as he joined you under the covers. "It's alright, don't cry. You've tried your very best. Perhaps Tephra is simply not ready."

"But I'm worried for her Caldarus. What if we're not doing this right? What if I'm not giving her what she needs? What if—"

Caldarus pressed a gentle kiss to your lips, silencing your doubts. Then he offered another to your cheek, your nose, your forehead, until finally your husband planted a tender kiss to your ear, holding you so close that your hearts beat as one.

"My love, you are not doing this alone. Remember that we are both learning, and we will undoubtedly make mistakes, but you know as well as I that we will always be there to give our little dragon exactly what she needs to thrive."

Caldarus' warm hand cupped your jaw and slowly traveled up to your head, claws delicately threading through you hair as he stroked you tenderly.

"Have faith. Everything will work out in the end."

Following Caldarus' comforting words, it didn't take long for your body to relax against his. The trembling sigh you exhaled, one that carried all your pent up anxieties and stress, evaporated into the air like morning mist. It was then that Caldarus was reassured that you'd sleep soundly tonight.

"I love you, Caldarus." You whispered, muffled and drowsy against his chest as you snuggled closer. Like always, your tender heat spread over his body, making your husband shiver involuntarily at the pleasant sensation. Gods, he'd truly never get tired of cuddling you.

Releasing a satisfied hum, the guardian dragon of Mistria nuzzled and kissed your cheek once more before he too succumbed to slumber.

"And I love you, my dragonsworn."

(***)

Caldarus awoke early to a cool, blue morning with his snoozing mate and child at his side. He laid there for a moment, admiring the both of you. Tephra dozing away contentedly like a frog on a log, and you with your protective arms wrapped around her. Everything was calm and peaceful. Never in his wildest dreams did he ever imagine having mornings like this.

Then, as Caldarus watched you, an idea sprang into his mind. Perhaps preparing you a surprise breakfast might lift your spirits.

Carefully so as not to wake either of you, Caldarus slipped out of bed and quietly made his way down to the kitchen. With a yawn and a crack of his knees (a strange feature of his novel human body) he began to prepare some honey toast and peppermint tea, a breakfast favorite of yours.

Pulling out the cook book you'd prepared and gifted him on your wedding night, Caldarus followed the recipe you'd written down, double and triple checking each of your meticulously documented steps so he was certain he'd done everything right. Caldarus knew all too well that he wasn't a good cook, but over the years he came to discover that by devoting his full attention to the task (and by following your extremely detailed instructions to the letter) he could manage something halfway decent.

Caldarus hummed softly to himself as he worked, rehearsing the new song he was in the process of composing for you. Just as he was about to finish preparing the meal, he heard the soft sound of your yawn. Caldarus turned his attention from the stove and there you were, standing by the kitchen table in your adorable baggy pajamas with an equally adorable yet drowsy Tephra nestled in your arms.

"Good morning love." You greeted him, carefully placing Tephra in her high chair.

"Good morning my darlings." Caldarus replied, approaching you to place a soft peck on your lips. Then he leaned over to pepper Tephra's cheeks with adoring kisses. She cooed with delight, reaching up to grip her father's horns and press a sloppy kiss to his nose.

"Ah! You've captured me, my clever little tadpole."

You watched, silently smiling to yourself as Caldarus played with your daughter. The sight of the two of them laughing and teasing one another helped your heart feel much lighter than it had in the past few weeks. Caldarus was right, things would fall into place eventually. After all, you had been an adventurer once, and what adventure was grander than that which stood before you in this cozy little kitchen, wistful and happy as they were bathed by dawn's light.

Just as you were about to join them, the faint scent of smoke and fire wafted up your nose. You turned, and gasped in alarm when you realized that the honey toast Caldarus had been preparing was completely engulfed in flames.

"Caldarus!"

Your husband turned and let out a curse (or at least you assumed it to be) in a language you didn't understand as he rushed to the stove. Quick as a flash, Caldarus smothered the fire with a pot lid, effectively putting out the flames. After a few moments he uncovered it, releasing a massive plume of smoke into the kitchen. Tephra "ooo'd" and"ah'd" in wonder at the ashy cloud while Caldarus groaned dejectedly at the fate of breakfast.

"Is it *cough* salvageable?" You asked.

"Well," Caldarus said, dropping the burnt toast onto a plate he'd set on the table. "I would say, unfortunately not."

You grimaced.

"It was…a valiant attempt."

Caldarus half laughed, lifting his hand to rub at his temple sheepishly. Truthfully, it felt like the both of you had been struck by some unshakable bad luck.

"I'm so sorry love. I wanted to surprise you with something nice this morning."

You stood from your seat and made your way to your husband. Gently, you cupped his face in your hands, and pulled him down for a reassuring kiss.

"You have nothing to apologize for. Here, let me—"

CHOMP!

Both you and Caldarus instantly turned at the sound, both of your jaws dropping in disbelief at the sight before you.

While the two of you were distracted, Tephra had gotten her hands on the burnt to near charcoal toast and had taken an enormous bite. She smiled widely at the two of you as she chewed, dark, ashy crumbs dotting her cheeks like stardust.

"Caldarus, are you seeing this?"

"I…" Caldarus breathed. "…I can't believe—"

CHOMP!

Mesmerized, the two of you watched in silent awe as little Tephra took another big bite, then another and another, until finally, Caldarus' burnt honey toast became a thing of the past.

Once Tephra finished, she looked up at the two of you and smiled. Twisting tails of smoke wafted out of her nose, accompanied by the faintest sparks of fire around her nostrils. Then she burped and clapped her hands together, mimicking the sign that you'd taught her.

'More.'

You and Caldarus stared at one another, utterly dumbfounded. One second passed in silence. Then two. Three. Four.

Losing her patience with her stupefied parents, Tephra puffed up her chest and repeated her sign indignantly.

'More! More!'

That was when you burst into laughter, startling both Tephra and Caldarus as tears of relief swelled and streamed down your cheeks.

"Sorry, sorry! Oh Tephra, if only we'd known that all you needed was your father's cooking!"

Caldarus, still frozen with incredulity, stared at his daughter.

"Tephra…likes my cooking." He softly murmured, as if he didn't believe the words that were coming out of his mouth.

Your smile was radiant as you stood on your tiptoes and kissed him.

"Yes, and by the looks of it, you're going to have to make her a second helping."

The look on Caldarus' face upon hearing those words was one of complete and total happiness. He practically vibrated with excitement as he bounded towards Tephra, lifting her up from her chair and high into the air, helping her to soar high above you like the proud dragon that she was.

Tephra giggled at her father's antics and stretched her arms out, mimicking wings like she always did.

"Tephra likes my cooking! She likes it, she really likes it!" Caldarus joyously shouted, uncaring if his voice carried even to the borders of Mistria. "Oh you mysterious and miraculous thing! What shall I make for you next, little love?"

You chuckle warmly, urging the stove back to life.