Some more baby Glordon, this time with his mom, Asthra. This is Grigon's favorite portrait, depicting the two things he cherishes the most: his wife and son. Sadly, after her death, he had covered with a blanket and put inside their old, now-sealed bedroom.
My headcanon is that, unlike males, females can leave their carapaces to breed and care for their young in a private setting. As such, most of Asthra's interactions with Glordon were in her true wormy form, which is partly why he was closer to her.
I'll make a proper ref on Asthra inside and outside her armor later.
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Wife of Lord Grigon, Empress of Hylurg, mother of Princeling Glordon.
As promised, here's Asthra in all of her wormy and armored glory. Her color palette is colder, contrasting with her husband, which also reflects her more patient, cool-headed personality. While Asthra was a fierce warrior, she also had a kind heart, which she passed on to Glordon.
The feathery ears are the main sexual dimorphism between male and female Hylurgians. Females are also slightly bigger.
Grigon was very attentive with Asthra whenever she was gravid: he'd swaddle her and insist she rest, even mouth-feeding her like a baby. She always complained, but actually liked it. This one is when she was carrying Glordon's egg.
We really need a proper color palette for Grigon, though.
Grigon rubbed his temple, trying his best not to shout as Asthra climbed into their sonâs silky den. Glordon always got like this before suitor appointments, but Grigon canât really blame his son for the attitude.
One general had broached the subject of marriage once it became clear that Gordon would liveâand tried offering one of his daughters for it. In light of the Princelingâs⌠unique circumstances and Hylurgâs less than stellar reaction to it, planning for the continuation of the Royal Bloodline had to start immediately.
As much as he didnât want to admit it, the General had a point. But despite all the planning and Grigonâs growing willingness to break a few rules, things were not going well. So far, all the high-ranking Hylurgian families were outright disgusted by the âruntyâ Princeling, only agreeing to offer their daughters for the promise of political power when marrying into the Royal Family. And Asthra hated it.
Not for the first time, Grigon wondered if they should rethink their strategy of trying to find a future fiancĂŠe for Glordon that he could grow comfortable with, and she with him. Asthra thought they could reach the girl before prejudice set in if they caught her young, and she would see their son as the sweet, kind boy he was. Just childhood friendsâthatâs all Asthra wanted. It would be something to build on.
Thatâs how itâd been with him and Asthra. Theyâd met at the hatchery and had been friends since childhood, long before entering their carapaces. Grigon recalled how eventually their feelings blossomed into love, and how he had to wipe the floor with her other suitors to earn the right to take her as his wife and consort. It helped that, as Prince of Hylurg and heir to the Blood Throne at the time, her family would still have handed her over to him even if he had lost.Â
But with Glordon⌠it was different. The suitress in question always seemed to have absorbed too much of her parentsâ and their peopleâs prejudice regarding him. Grigon knew he could simply force a union outright, but he didnât want to put his son through that.
At last, Asthra and Glordon crawled out of the latterâs nest, though the princeling still looked uncertain.
âWhat if sheâs mean, too?â asked Glordon.Â
âDon't let her walk over you. Show her you're no weakling.â said Grigon sternly. Asthra frowned at him. âCome on. Theyâre waiting.â
...
As he watched Dreen and her parents leave a few hours later, Grigon couldnât help but smirk at the sight of the bite marks on her back, proof that, for once, Glordon had stuck up for himself. The downside, the girlâs younger sister probably wouldnât be a viable option anymore.
But that could wait. His only concern right now was his six-year-old son, whoâd locked himself in his room and wouldnât come out. With Asthra away to handle an incident with one of her younger sisters, it fell on him to offer comfort, even though it wasnât his specialty.Â
The Blood Emperor knocked on his sonâs door. âGlordon, Iâm coming in.âÂ
There was no reply, but he went in anyway. As expected, Glordon had hidden away in his sphere-shaped silk nest, adorned with crystals. Grigon approached gently, making sure not to step on his sonâs toysâand made a mental note to give him a talk on keeping his room in order.Â
âGlordon, come out. We need to talk,â said Grigon, standing in front of the nest, arms crossed.Â
The surprising gentleness, a stark contrast to his usual commanding demeanor, prompted Glordon to crawl out of his nest, regretting it when he was met with his fatherâs stern frown. But he didnât dare go back into hiding, instead lowering his gaze and ears.
âGlordon, you know the importance of this, donât you?â asked Grigon.Â
âYes, DadâŚâ sniffled Glordon.Â
âIt doesnât seem like it. Tell me, did it make sense to show such poor behavior when you still donât have my approval to come aboard Karajor? â
Glordon was fidgeting with his nubs, tears gathering in the corners of his mouth. âIâm sorry, Dad⌠I donâtâI didnât mean to fail youâŚâ
Grigonâs frown softened, his heart tugging at the sight of his son crying. Sighing, he knelt in front of his son.Â
Glordon flinched when his father reached out a metallic hand, but he simply rubbed his head.
âI know this hasnât been easy for you, my son. Youâre too young, and the search for a partner is taking its toll on you,â said Grigon gently. âWhat did she do that drove you to react like that?â
He knew his gentle-natured boy wouldnât have bitten another child, especially one that is bigger, unless that girl had driven him over the edge, said something that really got to him. Glordon becoming stiff confirmed his suspicions.Â
âItâs alright, you can tell me.â
Glordon sniffled again. â⌠D-Do you love me, Dad?âÂ
Grigonâs digital eyes widened at the unexpected question. âWhy would you ask such a thing, Glordon?âÂ
â⌠D-Dreen said her grandma said⌠You and Mom only kept me because⌠because you couldnât have more babies.â sniffled Glordon, fidgeting with his nubs. âShe said you would have thrown me in the Pit of Bones if you had a bigger childâŚâ
Grigon stiffened, and he clenched his other fist, his expression hardening. The mention of the Pit of Bones struck a nerve in the Blood Emperor as uncomfortable memories flooded back into his mind.
âThatâs a bunch of kanraj manure, my son. Your mother and I loved you from the moment you were born. True, youâre smaller than other children, but that doesnât make you less wanted.â said Grigon firmly, lowering his hand to Glordonâs back. âDonât listen to Dreen or her grandmother. They know nothing.âÂ
Glordon couldnât help but flinch a bit as his father stroked his back. Not out of fear, but unfamiliarity. Unlike Mom, Dad wasnât the type to show affection, and he was never out of his armor, so his touch felt colder than Momâs warm nubs.
âWhy didnât you and Mom have more babiesâŚ?â inquired Glordon.Â
Heâd thought about it before. Surely, his little brother or sister wouldnât hate him. If they were small and new, theyâd think there wasnât anything wrong with him. Theyâd want to play, and make silk figurines or crystals with him.
Grigon held back a curse. Of all the times for him to touch that topic. Where's Asthra when you need her?!
âItâs⌠complicated, Glordon,â he said, his tone reflecting some regret as he sat down. âYour mother and I⌠We truly wanted more children, butâŚâ Grigon took a deep breath. âWe had complications. We tried many times to have another child, but we couldnât conceive again.âÂ
Glordon tilted his head. âWhy? Are you and Mom ill?â he inquired.Â
The memories of those timesâthe sleepless nights, the many attempts at conceiving both naturally and artificially, Asthraâs tears at the prospect she might be the problemâshifted Grigonâs expression into sadness. He and Asthra had always talked about having a big family, even jokingly suggesting they name all their sons Grigon Jr. and their daughters Asthra Jr. But each failed attempt, each unfertilized egg, was like a severe blow. Theyâd almost lost hope by the time Asthra finally laid Glordonâs egg.Â
â⌠In a way, I guess,â sighed Grigon. âSometimes, even if both parents want to have a child, it just⌠doesnât work. Itâs something beyond our control.âÂ
To his surprise, Glordon approached and hugged his metallic leg. âI love you, Daddy.â
Grigon smiled lightly and patted his sonâs head. âYou left quite a big bite on that girl, you know. Good job for standing up to her, my son.â
Glordonâs ears picked up, his expression brightening up. âDoes that mean I get to board the Karajor ?â
âWeâll see.â The warlord picked Glordon up in his hands and stood up. "For now, let's just get some sweet berry cake, but don't tell your mother or we'll both be in trouble."Â
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Turns out Glordon is smarter than people give him credit for.
â*O*â
âMAMAAA!â
Grigonâs digital eyes twitched at Glordonâs loud wails echoing through the east wing, already missing the time when coughing was the only noise he made. Of all the times for Asthra to catch a cold, which meant she wasnât to go anywhere near their son.
âCanât I just take a peek? Just so he calms down!â Asthra tried, and failed again, to crawl out of bed as Grigon gently tucked her in for the twentieth time.
The Blood Emperor rubbed his temple. A steaming cup of ratkajino would be so good right now.
âYou heard the medic, love. The more you rest, the sooner youâll recover,â said Grigon.Â
âGrigon, how do you expect me to rest when my baby is crying and I canât do anything about it?âÂ
âYou donât want him to catch a cold again, do you?âÂ
Defeated, Asthra murmured and dropped her ears.Â
âIf it makes you feel better, Iâll go check on him,â offered Grigon.Â
As Grigon moved toward the door, Asthra called out. âDonât forget to recheck his swaddle!âÂ
âYes, dear.âÂ
âAnd remember heâs teething! Donât let him chew on your armor; itâs too hardâ!â
Grigon closed the door behind him, sighing at his wifeâs stubbornness and over-attached tendencies. To be sure, he tasked Gronk with stationing himself outside while ensuring Asthra remained in bed.Â
âMAMAAA!â
The Blood Emperor took a deep breath, preparing himself for the ordeal as he walked into the nursery, Glordonâs cries becoming louder as he stepped closer to the crib. His chest tugged as he saw the tears trickling down his wiggling sonâs mouth, all twelve of his nubs twitching.
âThere, there,â cooed Grigon, gently picking up the wailing larva in his hands. âItâs okay, Glordon. Daddyâs got you.âÂ
âMAMAAA!â
He tried every trick in the book. Rocking him, telling him a story, offering him food, stroking his head, but Glordon continued to cry for his mother. Thinking quickly, Grigon momentarily placed Glordon in his armorâs cupholder and used his silk to make a crude figurine barely resembling Asthraâs wormy form, feathery ears and all.
âGlordon, look! Hereâs a mini-Mommy!âÂ
Thankfully, his son quieted down and reached out for the mini-Asthra. Grigon sighed in relief as Glordon clung to the figurine, curling up around it in his cupholder. That should suffice, he took Glordon along to his study to keep an eye on him.Â
The familiar aroma of ratkajino sent a pleasant shiver down his spine. As usual, his ratkajino pot awaited on his desk; he poured himself a good, steaming portion into his favorite mug and took a gulp. The hot, bitter taste made his quills shiver with delight inside his carapace.
âWan!â Glordonâs little voice called out.
Looking down, Grigon saw his son peeking out of the cupholder, reaching out his four nubs toward his ratkajino.
âThatâs not for you, son,â said Grigon, putting the mug aside.
âWan! Wan!â
Glordon proved to be just as stubborn as Grigon himself. He would crawl from the cupholder periodically, attempting to reach the ratkajino mug, only to be caught and returned. Then, the cycle repeated just as Grigon tried to focus on the paperwork. At his patienceâs limit, the Blood Emperor handed placed him aside and gave him one of his empty pens to play with⌠Or at least, he thought it was empty, until a squirt of ink flew straight at his chest plate.
âDamn it, Glordon!â cursed Grigon. He went to fetch a napkin to wipe the ink off his carapace, but as he turned around, he saw his son dropping into the ratkajino pot. âGLORDON!â
He lunged forward, knocking over the desk, piles of papers and all, but he grabbed the pot and poured its contentsâand Glordonâonto his gauntlet.
âYou littleâ!â Grigon growled, but stopped as Glordon giggled, his twelve nubs flailing while rolling on his gauntlet. The Blood Emperor sighed and rubbed his temple.
âYour Bloodness!â the soldiers posted outside burst into the room, hand cannons at the ready. They froze when they saw Grigon on the floor, papers scattered everywhere, and his giggling son in his hand.
âNot. A word,â hissed Grigon.
âŚ
Grigon watched utterly dismayed as Glordon rolled all around his nursery, giggling every time he bumped into stuff, praying to Shaakâvi that the effect would wear off soon. Heâd tried swaddling him a few times, but Glordon wiggled out of it in his ratkajino-induced zoomies.
âYouâre so lucky that youâre my only son, kidâŚâ murmured Grigon when Glordon bumped into his leg and burst into a fit of giggles.
âDada!â
The corners of his mouth tugged into a small smile. He had to give his son credit for going after the ratkajino while he was distracted with the ink stain. If he didnât know any better, heâd think Glordon squirted him with ink as a distraction.
On the bright side, Glordon wasnât crying for Asthra anymore. If she found out what happenedâ
âGlordon!â
Grigon and Glordon jumpedâthe former in fright, the latter in delightâas Asthra strode into the nursery, back inside her carapace.
âA-Asthra, what are you doing?! You should be in bed!â yelled Grigon.
âThe medic said I was well enough to check on Glordon for a little while.â said Asthra, kneeling and reaching out her gauntlets as her baby rolled toward her. âHi, sweetie!â
âMama!â giggled Glordon, waving his twelve nubs as Asthra picked him up.
Asthraâs digital eyes frowned, and she took a sniff. âGrigon, why does my son smell of ratkajino?â she asked.
Grigon sighed. âLetâs say Glordon is quite cunning for a larva.â
I know it's been a while, but here's another one-shot for my shared AU with @asyakiya. This time, it's how it all began... with one little egg.
Enjoy!
â*O*â
âAsthra?â
Grigon quietly opened the door, and after some hesitation, stepped inside. The room was darkâit was always dark these daysâbut he still made out the unmistakable shape of his wife on the bed, curled up, her back turned to the door.Â
ââŚYour parents and Askja have been asking for you. They want to know if youâre okayâŚâ He tried, but got no response. Asthra didnât even shift. Grigon quietly moved closer, considering his next words carefully. âYou canât keep going like this, love.âÂ
Grigon flinched when Asthra tensed, and her quills shivered wildly. He mentally prepared himself for a verbal lash-out, but his wife simply sniffled. Sighing, he walked to the other side to meet her face to face, but regretted it when he saw the state she was in: Asthraâs cheeks and the corners of her mouth were stained with long-dried tears; her nubs were clutching a small silk figure shaped like Shaakâvi, one of the many toys sheâd woven with her own silk for their firstâ
Grigon squeezed his digital eyes shut and took a deep breath, pushing the thought aside. Then, he knelt and tentatively placed a hand on Asthraâs body.
âIt pains me to see you cry, my love,â said Grigon, his own voice shaking. âIâd do anything to see you smile again.âÂ
Asthra stiffened, her ears pressed against her head. ââŚThereâs nothing you can doâŚâ she whispered.
âI know it hurts, Asthra, but⌠itâs been months. You have toââ
âYou think I havenât tried?â growled Asthra, her volume rising brieflyâa faint remnant of the strong-willed woman he loved so much. But the fire extinguished as soon as itâd appeared. âI miss itâŚI miss them all so muchâŚâ she sobbed, clutching the little silk figure tighter. âI see them in every egg at the baptismsâŚÂ In every larva I spot in the Colosseum⌠In my sisterâs healthy egg⌠I feel like Iâm going mad, Grigon! Mad!â
âI know, I knowââ
âDo you?! Because youâre just going on about your day like nothing happened!â
This time, it was his own temper that flared. âThey were my children too, Asthra! You think it doesnât pain me?! But unlike you, I donât have the luxury to lie down and mope all day!âÂ
Grigon regretted the harshness in his voice when Asthra broke down into sobs again. He rubbed his temple, and carefully picked her up in his arms, cradling her against his chest as she cried.Â
â*O*â
âYour Wrath, Lady Asthra is back⌠and she wants to see you.â
Grigon lifted his gaze from his desk. âWhy?â he asked Gronk.
âShe wouldnât say, but⌠Itâs about the Aoki ship that crash-landed in the badlands.âÂ
Intrigued, Grigon left his study and headed toward the main hall, before Gronk told him Asthra was waiting for him in their bedchambers. On the way there, he noticed the guards seemed tense but tried their best to hide it as he passed by them. Something mustâve happened at the crash site.
He found Asthra near the balcony door. She was looking down at her hands, cradling something against her chest plate.Â
âDid something happen? Are you alright?â asked Grigon, approaching his wife.Â
Then he saw it: a round, pale blue object carefully cupped in Asthraâs metallic hands. An egg. But it wasnât a Hylurgian egg.Â
â⌠Where did you find it?â inquired Grigon, digital eyes fixed on it. Then he remembered Gronkâs words. âThe Aoki ship?â
Asthra nodded. âIts parents didnât make it. The mother, she⌠She was dying, and yet the only thing she cared about was her unhatched babyâŚâ she paused. âShe asked me to keep it safe.â
âOkay⌠Then what? Should I send a messenger to Cryos so someone can pick it up?â
âI promised its mother I would keep her child safe, Grigon.â
His eyes widened, realizing what his wife was asking of him. Then he frowned. âAbsolutely not.âÂ
âWhy not?â
âItâs an Aoki, Asthra. Hylurg is no place for a species that thrives in polar climates.âÂ
âWe can adjust a room with the right temperature.âÂ
âThen what? What will you do if it tries to take a bath in the lava baths?â insisted Grigon. âYou cannot expect to raise it as a Hylurgian! It is not!âÂ
âWho says an Aoki canât learn our ways?â
Grigon rubbed his temple at his wifeâs stubbornness. âDo you know what the Noble Houses will say if they see you babying a foreign child?â
âSince when do you care about what they say?â retorted Asthra.
âWhen they have a point. You know why outsiders are not allowed in Hylurg. Our enemies must never know of our true forms, and yet the Royal Family keeps an Aoki, a species with mental abilities that could very well disclose that information, in the very heart of Hylurg? How do you think that sounds?â
âYouâre saying I should have just abandoned an unborn child to its luck?!âÂ
âYes, because itâs not yours! Itâs not even a Hylurgian!âÂ
Asthra stepped back, her ears flattened against her head, eyes narrowing dangerously as she tucked the egg protectively against her chest, growling dangerously. Grigon met her gaze with a stern look of his own, his fists clenched.
 â⌠It wonât replace the ones we lost, Asthra.âÂ
There. He said it. He nearly regretted it when he saw Asthra flinch, but he didnât retract. As much as it hurt them both, she had to hear it.Â
â⌠I know that,â whispered Asthra, her mouth briefly welling up with tears. âBut it needs me. And I want it.â
Grigon wanted to keep arguing, but something about the tone in her voice⌠and the way she held that egg. For the hate of Shaakâvi, just the fact that sheâd left bed and entered her carapace after two years.
ââŚFine. Keep it.âÂ
Asthra relaxed. âIâm sure heâll be a great sonââ
âI said you may keep it.â Grigon interrupted, voice and expression hard. âThat doesnât make it my son.â
He didnât wait for his wife to reply as headed to the door and left the room.Â
If it helped her recover, heâd let Asthra keep her pet for now. Sheâd probably lose interest once they had their own childâif the chick even made it past infancy, that is.Â