The sun had barely risen, casting a warm glow over the cave. I stretched my silver scales, feeling the morning stiffness in my wings. Father was already up, standing at the entrance of the cave, looking out at the sky. "Today's the day," he said, his voice low and excited. "The herd will be moving through the valley. We'll need to be quick and stealthy if we want to catch them off guard."
Mother nodded, her light green scales glinting in the morning light. "The children are ready. Let's get moving." My siblings and I exchanged excited glances, eager to start the hunt. We had been preparing for this day for weeks, and we were all hungry for fresh meat. With a collective flutter of wings, we took to the sky, following Father and Mother out of the cave and into the morning hunt.
I look up at Mother and question, "Are you coming, Mother?"
Mother smiled and nodded, "Yes, I'm coming. I just need to bring Niamon with me." She gently scooped up Niamon, who was babbling excitedly, and settled her into a comfortable position on her back. "Let's go, everyone. Stay close and follow Father's lead." With that, we all took to the sky, flying out of the cave and into the morning sunlight, ready to begin our hunt.
We soared through the sky, a formation of dragons flying in unison. Father led the way, his albino scales glistening in the sunlight as he scanned the landscape below for signs of prey. Mother flew alongside him, Niamon secure on her back, while my siblings and I followed close behind.
As we flew over the rolling hills and verdant forests, the wind ruffled my silver scales, and I felt a rush of excitement. I loved the thrill of the hunt, the challenge of tracking and catching our prey.
Suddenly, Father banked sharply to the left, and we followed him, our eyes scanning the ground below. "There," he said, his voice carrying on the wind. "The herd is grazing in the valley below. Let's go." With a collective roar, we dove down, our wings tucked in, and began the hunt.
The rush of wind buffeted me as we plummeted towards the herd. I could see the grazing animals below, their large brown bodies moving slowly as they ate the lush grass. Father expertly guided us, directing each of us to a specific target. Lyriath and Vyraxys peeled off to the left, heading towards a larger beast, while Nyxoria and Lyrixa followed Father towards a smaller one. Kaidorix and Kieraxys worked together, stalking a young calf. Mother hovered above, keeping a watchful eye on Niamon as we hunted.
I focused on my own target, a large buck with impressive antlers. I tucked my wings and dove, my silver scales glinting in the sunlight. The buck looked up, sensing danger, and I could see the fear in its eyes. I expertly adjusted my speed and trajectory, and then I struck, my claws outstretched. The hunt was on.
My claws snatched the buck from the ground, and I felt a rush of exhilaration as I soared back up into the sky. The buck struggled and bucked, but I held tight, my grip secure. I flew back to the group, proud of my successful catch.
The others were already gathered, their own prey in tow. Lyriath and Vyraxys had taken down a large aurochs, while Nyxoria and Lyrixa had caught a smaller deer. Kaidorix and Kieraxys were proudly displaying their young calf, and Father was beaming with pride.
Mother descended from above, Niamon still secure on her back, and we all began to prepare for the feast. We would eat well tonight, and the family would be strong and healthy. Father looked at us all, his eyes shining with approval. "Well done, everyone. Let's eat."
Father, look at Mother. "I'm going to eat some slime!" But Mother shook her head.
"The last time you eat a slime, you couldn't fit the cave entrance for days! While the slime squirming inside your stomach!" She yelled.
Father chuckled, "Ah, come on, Thyriatrix. I promise I'll be more careful this time. I'll just have a little snack." Mother sighed, "Aetherius, you're going to get stuck again, or worse, the slime will cause trouble in your stomach. Remember what happened last time?" Father grinned mischievously, "Oh, I remember. It was quite the adventure." Mother shook her head, exasperated, "You're impossible."
I chimed in, "Yeah, Father, you're always getting into trouble with your food." Lyriath added, "Remember when Father ate that glowing mushroom and turned bright pink?" The forest air was filled with our laughter, and Father's grin faltered for a moment before he laughed along with us. "Hey, that was just one time, and it was a... um... interesting experience." Mother just rolled her eyes, "You're a walking disaster, Aetherius." I couldn't help but laugh along with my siblings, enjoying the warm sunlight and the lighthearted moment with our family as we stood together in the forest.
Father smiled at Mother and said "look I will go find a slimes to eat!" Father left to eat some slime.
Mother sighed and shook her head. "I'll go keep an eye on him. You children stay here and rest after the hunt."
She took to the skies, flying off in the direction Father had gone. I watched her disappear into the distance, knowing she'd be trying to prevent Father from getting into too much trouble.
The rest of my siblings and I settled in, some of us lying down to rest while others began to clean our scales. Lyriath started to groom his dark and blood-red scales, while Vyraxys worked on his dark bronze ones.
I sat down nearby, keeping a watchful eye on Niamon, who was babbling and playing with a nearby rock. She giggled and tossed the rock in the air, trying to catch it. I smiled, enjoying the peaceful moment after our successful hunt.
The forest was quiet, with only the occasional bird call breaking the silence. I closed my eyes, feeling the warmth of the sun on my silver scales, and let out a contented sigh.
I look all my siblings. "we should just follow them instead!" They all nodded.
I grinned mischievously, and my siblings nodded in agreement. We all took to the skies, flying quietly in the direction Mother and Father had gone. We didn't want to get caught, so we kept a safe distance, following the trail of disturbed foliage and faint scale marks.
As we flew, Lyriath whispered, "I hope Father doesn't get into too much trouble this time." Vyraxys chuckled, "Yeah, or Mother will have our scales for dinner." We all shared a quiet laugh, our eyes scanning the forest below for any sign of our parents.
The trees grew closer together here, and the underbrush thicker. We slowed our pace, careful not to make any noise as we followed the trail. Suddenly, we heard a faint rustling sound, followed by Father's excited voice. "Ah, yes! I've found a particularly plump one!"
As we arrived and landed, we saw Father catch one and begin to devour it as it struggled to get out.
Mother stood nearby, shaking her head in exasperation. "Aetherius, you're going to regret eating that entire slime." Father, mouth full, mumbled something incoherent, his eyes gleaming with enjoyment. The slime, still partially intact, was oozing its way down his throat, causing his stomach to bulge outward in a rather alarming manner.
We watched in a mixture of amusement and concern as Father continued to savor his snack. Mother sighed, "I'll just go gather some herbs, just in case." She walked off, leaving us to observe Father's antics. Lyriath whispered, "I give him five minutes before he starts feeling the effects." I nodded in agreement, intrigued to see how this would play out.
I look at Mother. "How much slime sis he now eat Mother just tell us please!" I gave her my puppy dog eyes.
Mother couldn't help but chuckle at my pleading expression. "Fine, Tharros. Let's just say your father has eaten...a generous portion of the slime. Again." She shook her head, a mix of amusement and concern on her face. "I'll just go prepare some tea to help with the digestion. Or, at the very least, mitigate the damage." She smiled wryly, "You know your father and his love for exotic foods."
I frowned. "Just give me the number, please, Mother!" Mother sighed and nodded.
"Alright, alright. Your father ate...four slimes. Yes, four. I told him to just have one, but..." Mother trailed off, shaking her head. I raised an eyebrow, impressed despite myself. Four slimes was a lot, even for Father's notorious appetite. No wonder Mother was worried. I glanced over at Father, who was still enjoying his snack, oblivious to the impending doom that would soon beset his digestive system.
I look at Father, who seems still trying to get more slime.
Father's hands were still grasping for more slime, his fingers smeared with the gooey substance. He looked like a child in a candy store, utterly enthralled by the slimy creatures. Mother shook her head, "Aetherius, stop! You've had enough!" But Father just chuckled, his eyes shining with excitement, "Just one more, my love. For the road." Mother face-palmed, "You're going to be the death of me."
Father saw a very plump one, and it is indeed big, Father looks like it's about to catch it and eat it and Mother try to stop him.
Father's eyes lit up as he spotted the plump slime, and he lunged forward, his hands outstretched to catch it. Mother quickly reacted, trying to grab Father's arm to stop him. "Aetherius, no! Don't even think about it! You've had four already, and you know what happens when you eat too many!" But Father was too focused on the slime, dodging Mother's grasp with ease. "Just one more, my dear! It's too good to resist!" Mother's voice rose in urgency, "Aetherius, I'm warning you...!"
As Father's fingers closed around the slime, he let out a triumphant roar and popped it into his mouth before Mother could intervene. The slime let out a faint squelching sound as Father chewed, his eyes gleaming with delight. Mother threw up her claws in exasperation, "Aetherius, you're impossible! You're going to regret this, I just know it." She glared at him, her wings folded across her back.
We watched in anticipation, our scales rustling with excitement, knowing that Father's actions would soon have consequences. Father, still savoring the slime, didn't seem to notice the impending doom. But we knew better. The slimes were notorious for their unpredictable behavior in the digestive system, and Father had just eaten five of them. This was going to be a wild ride.
I nudged Lyriath with my snout, whispering, "Get ready for the show." Lyriath grinned, his sharp teeth glinting in the sunlight. We all leaned in, eager to see what would happen next. Mother, meanwhile, was busy gathering herbs and muttering under her breath, "I'll need to make a strong tea to counteract this..."
At first, nothing seemed to happen. Father continued to savor the slime, a satisfied smile spreading across his face. But then, a subtle rumbling began to build in his stomach. The sound grew louder, like distant thunder, and his belly started to bulge and shift in strange ways.
Mother's eyes narrowed, "It's starting." She held up a warning claw, "Everyone, stay back. We don't know what will happen next." But it was too late. Father's stomach suddenly expanded with a loud whooshing sound, and he let out a surprised roar as his body began to...change.
His scales started to ripple and wave, like the surface of a pond. His wings fluttered wildly, knocking over nearby rocks and sending dust flying. We stumbled backward, laughing and trying to get out of the way as Father's unpredictable digestive system wreaked havoc on his body. This was going to be a long day.
And Father Belly stops bulging, and nothing happens, and Father just chuckled. "Do you think I have enough?" He ask.
Mother face-palmed, "Aetherius, that was just the calm before the storm. Trust me, something will happen. It's just a matter of time." Father chuckled, his belly rumbling ominously, "Oh, I'm shaking in my scales. Bring it on, slimes!" He grinned, clearly enjoying the anticipation.
We all watched, holding our breath, waiting for the other shoe to drop. But Father just stood there, looking smug and satisfied. Mother shook her head, "You're not out of the woods yet, dear. Just you wait." And with that, Father's eyes widened, and he let out a loud belch that sent shockwaves through the forest. "Ah, maybe I spoke too soon," he said, his voice tinged with surprise.
I question, "What will happen, Mother?"
Mother's expression turned serious, "When you eat too many slimes, they can start to...migrate, let's say. They can move around inside your stomach and sometimes even escape into other parts of the body. It's not usually serious, but it can be...uncomfortable." She glanced at Father, who was starting to shift uncomfortably. "Let's just say your father might be in for a wild ride. Hold on to your scales, kids."
Father chuckled. "Oh come on Thyriatrix, I did eat 47 last time I eat a slime, remember?" Mother sighed and nodded.
Mother rubbed her temples, "Yes, Aetherius, I remember. And do you remember what happened after that?" Father's grin faltered for a moment, and then he chuckled, "Oh, you mean when things got...interesting?" Mother nodded dryly, "That's the one. Let's hope this time is less...eventful." Father winked, "I'm feeling pretty optimistic about my slime-handling abilities." I raised an eyebrow, "Uh, Father, I think Mother is trying to warn you about something."
Father just chuckled and patted his stomach, and his belly jiggled and bounced ominously. We could see the slimes squirming and moving under his scales, like they were trying to find a way out. Lyriath whispered, "Uh, Father, I think you might want to take Mother's warnings seriously this time." Father's grin started to falter as the slimes continued to squirm and writhe beneath his scales, his belly jiggling with each movement. Mother watched with a knowing look, "It's just a matter of time before something happens."
I look up at Mother "Ok what is happening anyway, Mother?!" Mother answered.
"The slimes are migrating," Mother explained calmly. "They're moving around inside your father's stomach, and sometimes they can get a little...restless." As she spoke, Father's belly jiggled again, and we could see the slimes squirming beneath his scales. "It's not usually a problem, but when Aetherius eats too many, it can get...unpredictable." Mother's eyes never left Father's face, her expression a mix of concern and amusement. "Let's just wait and see what happens next, shall we?"
Father's eyes started to dart around, his grin faltering further. He looked like he was trying to keep track of the slimes as they moved around inside him. Suddenly, one of the slimes seemed to shift towards his chest, and Father's scales rippled and flexed as it moved. "Ah, maybe I should have listened," Father muttered, his voice tinged with unease.
Lyriath and I exchanged a nervous glance. This was getting interesting. Mother just watched, her arms crossed, a knowing look on her face. "Told you," she said, her voice dry. Father shot her a look, but she just smiled sweetly. "I'm just here to observe, dear."
I watched with bated breath as Father's belly continued to jiggle and bounce. The slimes were definitely getting restless, and I had a feeling things were about to get out of hand. Mother seemed to be enjoying the show, her eyes gleaming with amusement.
Suddenly, one of the slimes made a break for Father's throat, and his scales rippled and bulged as it moved. Father's eyes went wide, and he let out a strangled cough. "Ah, maybe this isn't so funny anymore," he wheezed.
Lyriath and I exchanged a worried glance. This was getting serious. Mother stepped forward, her voice calm and soothing. "Aetherius, maybe it's time for that tea I was talking about." Father nodded frantically, his eyes still fixed on the slime making its way up his throat. "Yes, yes, please. Get it out of there."
Mother sighed. "But it only helps a little it won't help what you are dealing right now it only decreases the pain by 1%"
Father's face fell as Mother delivered the news. "1%? That's it?" He looked crestfallen. Mother nodded sympathetically. "Yes, I'm afraid so. The tea might help with some of the discomfort, but it's not a cure-all. You're going to have to ride this one out, Aetherius."
I watched as Father's expression turned determined. "Fine. I'll deal with it. I've handled worse, right?" He gritted his teeth, bracing himself for what was to come. Lyriath and I exchanged a nervous glance. This was going to be an interesting ride.
As Father steeled himself, the slimes inside him seemed to sense his resolve. They began to squirm and writhe more frantically, causing Father's belly to jiggle and bounce in alarming ways. Father's eyes widened, and he let out a low growl. "This is going to be a long day," he muttered.
Mother nodded in agreement. "I'll go prepare the tea, but like I said, it's not going to do much. You're on your own, Aetherius." She patted Father's arm and headed off to make the tea.
Lyriath leaned in close to me and whispered, "This is going to be epic. I give Father about five minutes before things get really crazy." I grinned, feeling a mix of excitement and concern. This was definitely going to be a memorable experience.
I look up at Mother. "You going to drag him by his tail all the way home to the mountain cave?" Mother nodded.
"Yes, dear, I think that's the best plan. Your father won't be flying anywhere for a while, not in his current state." Mother smiled wryly. "And I'll make sure to drag him by his tail, nice and slow, so he can enjoy the scenery." She chuckled, "He'll be singing a different tune after this, I guarantee it."
I grinned, imagining Father's humiliation. He was going to be in for a long, uncomfortable walk. Lyriath snickered beside me, clearly thinking the same thing. "Yeah, Father's going to be cursing his love for slimes," he said, chuckling.
When Father finishes drinking the tea, Mother grabbed his tail and dragged him as his belly jiggling and bouncing and wobbled even more.
As Mother dragged Father by his tail, he let out a series of undignified yelps and squawks. His belly jiggled and bounced wildly, the slimes inside him causing chaos. Father's face was red with embarrassment and discomfort, his eyes bulging as he tried to mitigate the bouncing.
Lyriath and I couldn't help but burst out laughing at the sight. Even the younger siblings, like Kaidorix and Kieraxys, were giggling uncontrollably. Niamon, who was still a baby, looked on with wide eyes, unsure what was happening but sensing the excitement.
Mother just smiled sweetly, dragging Father along with ease. "You're lucky I'm not making you walk on your own two feet, Aetherius," she said, her voice dripping with amusement. Father just groaned, his dignity bruised and battered.
Father yelped in pain. "OW OW OW OW OW OW OW OW OW! THYRIATRIX IT HURT WHEN YOU DRAG MY TAIL OW MY BELLY HURT A LOT!"
Mother just chuckled and kept dragging Father along, his tail stretching out behind him. "Oh, poor Aetherius, can't handle a little tail-dragging? You should have thought of that before you ate those 5 slimes." She smiled sweetly, her eyes glinting with amusement.
Father's yelps and complaints continued, echoing through the landscape as Mother dragged him along. Lyriath and I were still laughing, holding our bellies in laughter. The younger siblings were having a great time watching Father's misery, and even Niamon was giggling along with us.
As Mother dragged Father, his belly continued to jiggle and bounce, the slimes inside him causing chaos. Father's face was red with embarrassment and discomfort, his eyes bulging as he tried to mitigate the bouncing. "Thyriatrix, please! Have mercy!" he begged, but Mother just laughed and kept dragging him along.
I question, "How can you get Father up the mountain?"
Mother smiled mischievously. "Oh, don't worry, dear. I've got a plan for that too. We'll just have to drag him up the mountain, step by step. It might take a while, but I'm sure he'll get the exercise he needs." She chuckled, clearly enjoying Father's predicament.
Lyriath snickered beside me. "Yeah, and Father will get to enjoy the view from the ground the whole way up." I giggled at the thought, imagining Father's face as he was dragged up the mountain.
Father, still being dragged along, looked up at us with a pleading expression. "You kids aren't helping, you know." But we just laughed and continued to watch the spectacle.
As Mother continued to drag Father up the mountain, the terrain got steeper and rockier. Father's yelps turned into groans as he bounced and jiggled along, his belly jiggling like a bowl full of jelly. The slimes inside him seemed to be getting more and more agitated, causing him to squirm and writhe in discomfort.
Lyriath and I were having a great time watching Father's misery, but even we had to admit that it was getting a bit intense. Father's face was red and sweaty, and his eyes looked like they were about to bug out of his head.
Mother, however, seemed to be in her element. She was dragging Father along with ease, her light green scales glistening in the sunlight. She looked like she was enjoying the hike, despite the extra cargo she was carrying.
As we neared the cave entrance, Father looked up at us with a desperate expression. "Please, just get me to the cave already. I'll never eat another slime again, I swear." Mother just chuckled and kept dragging him along, her smile never wavering.
I mumbled "he definitely going to eat a slime again in the future."
Lyriath snickered and nodded in agreement. "Definitely. Father never learns." We exchanged a knowing glance, both of us grinning at the thought of Father's future slime-eating escapades.
Mother overheard us and chuckled. "I'm counting on it, actually." She smiled wryly, shaking her head. "Your father and his love for slimes are a never-ending adventure."
Father, still being dragged along, looked up at us with a mock-offended expression. "Hey, I'm a connoisseur of fine slimes, okay?" We just laughed, and Mother continued to drag him towards the cave.
Father, look at Mother, "and also they are nutritional!" He yelled.
Mother raised an eyebrow, a hint of amusement in her voice. "Yes, I'm sure the 5 slimes you ate were very nutritious... for your digestive system, that is." She chuckled, clearly teasing Father.
Lyriath and I burst out laughing again, and even the younger siblings were giggling. "Yeah, Father, you're glowing with good health," Lyriath said, grinning.
Father's face turned bright red, but he still tried to defend his snack choice. "Hey, slimes are a great source of protein and nutrients! They're good for me, I tell you." Mother just smiled and continued to drag him along, her expression saying "we'll see about that".
Father slowly stood up, and he frowned. "What whole point, dragging me all the way here I can stand up what the whole point?!" He said.
Mother smiled sweetly, her eyes sparkling with amusement. "The point, dear Aetherius, was to make you appreciate the scenic route... and to give me a good laugh." She patted his belly, which still jiggled slightly. "Besides, you're not exactly in top form right now. I didn't want you face-planting on the mountain trail."
Father's scowl deepened, but he couldn't help but chuckle at Mother's teasing. "You're enjoying this, aren't you?" he said, shaking his head.
Mother just grinned and wrapped her arm around him. "Maybe a little. But don't worry, I'll take care of you until the slimes pass through your system."
Father still feels the slime squirming inside of him.
Father's expression turned queasy again as he felt the slimes squirming inside him. "Ugh, they're still moving around in there... I can feel them." He looked at Mother with a pleading expression. "Can we please just get to the cave and figure out how to get them out of me?"
Mother nodded sympathetically and wrapped her arm around him again. "Come on, dear. Let's get you settled in and I'll brew some more tea to help calm things down." She guided him towards the cave, Lyriath and I following close behind, still chuckling about the earlier spectacle.
Mother mumbled, "You of all dragons think that the slime can come out somehow."
Father shot Mother a dry look. "Hey, I'm just trying to deal with the situation here. Don't rub it in." He knew he was particularly resilient due to his draconic physiology, but that didn't mean he enjoyed having slimes squirming around inside him.
Mother just chuckled and patted his arm. "I'm just teasing, dear. Let's get you comfortable and I'll see what I can do to help you feel better." She led him into the cave, where a warm fire was already burning, and gestured for him to lie down.
As Father settled in, he couldn't help but feel a bit embarrassed about the whole situation. Being a dragon, he was used to being strong and in control, but the slimes had turned him into a bit of a mess. He looked up at Mother, who was busily brewing another batch of tea. "You know, I think I've learned my lesson about eating slimes," he said wryly.
Mother smiled and handed him a cup of steaming tea. "We'll see about that, you gluttonous mate of mine." she said, her eyes twinkling with amusement.
Father groaned at the teasing, but couldn't help but laugh. "Hey, I'm just a dragon with a refined palate, okay?" He took a sip of the tea, feeling a slight soothing effect on his stomach.
Mother sat down beside him, a warm smile on her face. "I'm sure you are, dear. And I'm sure the slimes were just the thing to satisfy your refined palate." She chuckled, her eyes sparkling with amusement.
Father just shook his head, feeling a bit more relaxed as the tea took effect. "You're enjoying this way too much, you know that?" he said, smiling wryly.
Mother leaned over and kissed his forehead. "Maybe just a little. But I love you, slime-filled belly and all."
I gently tap his belly, and it moves even more.
Father let out a pained yelp as my gentle tap sent the slimes inside him squirming around even more. "Ow, ow, ow! Easy there, kiddo! No more tapping, please." He looked up at me with a pleading expression, his eyes wide with discomfort.
Mother chuckled and caught my hand. "I think that's enough slime-stirring for now, dear. Let's let Father rest and digest... or pass through, whichever comes first." She smiled and guided me to sit down beside her, keeping a watchful eye on Father as he lay there, wincing in discomfort.
I walked towards Father and jumped and lay down on his belly as he felt my weight on his belly.
Father's eyes went wide in horror as I jumped and lay down on his belly. "AHHH! GET OFF, GET OFF, GET OFF! YOU'RE MAKING IT WORSE!" he yelled, his voice echoing through the cave as the slimes inside him squirmed and jiggled around even more violently.
Mother burst out laughing, holding her sides as she doubled over. "Oh, dear, I think you've made Father's day," she said, tears streaming down her face.
I looked up at Father with a mischievous grin, enjoying the reaction I got from him. Father, on the other hand, looked like he was about to lose his mind, his face red with discomfort and frustration. "Get. Off. Now," he growled, his voice low and menacing.
I shook my head and looked at Mother and ask a questioned Mother, "What do you mean by Father's Day?"
Mother chuckled and wiped away her tears. "Well, dear, Father's Day is a special day to celebrate fathers and father figures. But in this case, I was just teasing your father about making his day... worse, because of the slimes in his belly." She smiled and glanced at Father, who was still looking uncomfortable.
I looked back at Father, who was glaring at Mother, and then I giggled. "Oh, I see. You're making Father's day worse, not better!" I said, grinning at Father's predicament.
Father just shook his head, still looking pained. "You're both enjoying this way too much..."
Mother chuckled. "He could feel a little worried and concerned towards you Aetherius after all, he felt a very strong bond towards you!"
Father's face turned bright red with embarrassment as Mother teased him about being worried and concerned. "Shh, Thyriatrix, don't rub it in," he said, looking sheepish.
I giggled at Father's reaction, and Mother smiled warmly at him. "I'm just joking, dear. But seriously, I think it's cute how you always get so worked up about the kids."
Father huffed, still looking a bit embarrassed, but couldn't help smiling at Mother's words. "I'm just a devoted father, that's all," he said, trying to maintain his dignity despite the slimes squirming inside him.
Mother leaned over and kissed Father's cheek, her eyes sparkling with affection. "I know you are, dear. And we appreciate it." She smiled at me, and I grinned back at her, happy to see my parents being affectionate.
Father's embarrassment started to fade, replaced by a warm feeling in his chest. He looked up at Mother, his eyes softening. "You're just trying to distract me from the slimes, aren't you?" he said, a hint of amusement in his voice.
Mother smiled mischievously. "Maybe a little. But it's working, isn't it?" She glanced at his belly, where the slimes were still squirming around, but Father didn't seem to notice as much anymore.
I tap his belly again, and it moves even more again.
Father's eyes widened in exasperation as I tapped his belly again, and the slimes inside him started squirming around even more violently. "Seriously, kiddo?! Can't you see I'm trying to forget about this discomfort here?" he said, his voice rising in mock frustration.
Mother burst out laughing again, holding her sides as she doubled over. "I think you're just making it worse, dear," she said, chuckling.
I looked up at Father with a mischievous grin, enjoying the reaction I got from him. Father just shook his head, laughing despite himself. "You're a menace, you know that?" he said, smiling.
I snuggled beneath on Father belly a bit, and he wailed in pain a bit.
Father let out a pained yelp as I snuggled up against his belly, the slimes inside him squirming and jiggling around in response to the pressure. "Ow, ow, ow! Kiddo, please! You're killing me here!" he exclaimed, his voice rising in mock agony.
Mother laughed so hard she had to hold onto the cave wall to keep from falling over. "Oh, Aetherius, you're such a drama king," she said, tears streaming down her face.
I looked up at Father with big, innocent eyes, not realizing (or maybe just not caring) that I was making things worse. Father just shook his head, wincing in discomfort. "I'm going to survive this, somehow," he muttered, trying to breathe through the discomfort.
Mother finally managed to compose herself, wiping away her tears. "Okay, okay, I think that's enough slime-wrangling for now," she said, chuckling. She gently pried me away from Father's belly, relocating me to a safer distance.
Father let out a sigh of relief as the pressure was removed, the slimes inside him still squirming around but no longer being agitated by my snuggling. "Thanks, Thyriatrix," he said, grateful. "I think I owe you one... or several."
Mother smiled and patted his arm. "Don't worry, dear. I'll just add it to your tab." She smiled warmly at him, and Father couldn't help but smile back, feeling a bit more at ease despite the slimes still inside him.
I question, "Tap Father belly again?"
Mother quickly intercepted me, laughing. "Oh no, dear, I don't think that's a good idea. Let's give Father a break, okay?" She scooped me up in a gentle hug, holding me away from Father's belly.
Father looked up at Mother with gratitude, his eyes pleading for mercy. "Thanks, Thyriatrix. I think I can handle a break from the slime-stirring."
I pouted, but Mother just smiled and distracted me with a playful tickle, making me giggle instead.
As Mother tickled me, I couldn't help but giggle and squirm in her arms. Father watched us with a warm smile, feeling grateful for the distraction from the discomfort in his belly. The slimes inside him seemed to be settling down a bit, and he was starting to feel more at ease.
Just then, the cave entrance echoed with the sound of chattering and laughter. The older kids, Tharros, Lyriath, Vyraxys, Nyxoria, Lyrixa, and Kaidorix, tumbled into the cave, their scales glinting in the dim light. "What's going on?" Tharros asked, noticing Father's slightly rumpled state.
Lyriath's eyes landed on Father's belly, and he grinned mischievously. "Did the slimes get him again?" he asked, chuckling.
Father shot Lyriath a mock-threatening look. "Let's just say I'm having a bit of a digestive issue," he said dryly.
The kids all giggled and started teasing Father good-naturedly, asking him about the slimes and making jokes about his "wobbly belly." Mother smiled and joined in, playfully scolding the kids for being too rough on Father.
As the commotion continued, Kieraxys and Niamon, who had been quietly observing from a distance, suddenly piped up. "Daddy hurt?" Kieraxys asked, concern etched on his small face.
Niamon, who was still unsteady on her feet, toddled over to Father and patted his leg with her tiny claws. "Dada okay?" she asked, looking up at him with big, worried eyes.
Father's heart melted at the sight of his two youngest children showing concern for him. "I'm okay, little ones," he said, smiling and gently stroking Niamon's head. "Just a bit of a tummy ache."
Kieraxys nodded, seeming to accept Father's explanation. Niamon, however, continued to pat Father's leg, as if reassuring him that everything would be all right.
The scene was filled with warmth and love, and Father felt grateful for his quirky, lovable family. Despite the slimes still squirming inside him, he couldn't help but smile at the chaos and joy that surrounded him.
I managed to get off her arms and went back and lay on Father Belly again as he felt the weight of my body.
Father's eyes widened in alarm as I climbed back onto his belly, and the slimes inside him started squirming around in response to my weight. "No, no, no! Not again!" he exclaimed, trying to gently lift me off, but I clung to him, giggling.
The other kids burst out laughing at Father's predicament, and Mother chuckled, shaking her head. "I think you're going to have to get used to this, Aetherius," she said with a smile.
Father sighed, resigned to his fate, and let out a mock-dramatic groan. "I'm a martyr to parenthood," he declared, wincing as the slimes squirmed around beneath me.
I question, "What is a martyr to parenthood? Father!" Father answered.
Father smiled and stroked my hair, trying to think of a way to explain it to a young child. "Well, kiddo, being a martyr to parenthood means that I'm willing to suffer through things like having slimes squirming around in my belly if it means I get to spend time with you and the rest of the family."
I looked up at him with big, curious eyes. "You mean you like being uncomfortable if it makes us happy?" I asked.
Father nodded. "Exactly. Being a parent means making sacrifices and putting up with things that might not be comfortable or convenient, but it's all worth it because I love you all so much."
I smiled, seeming to understand, and snuggled deeper into Father's belly, making him wince again. "I'm sorry, Daddy," I said, giggling.
Father chuckled and hugged me gently. "It's okay, kiddo. I can handle it."
Father mumbled, "Even know the pain is not something you should be happy for."
Father's words were laced with a mix of amusement and subtle exasperation, hinting that while he appreciated the affection, he wasn't exactly thrilled about the slimes' antics or my decision to snuggle on his belly. Despite the discomfort, his tone conveyed a deep affection for me, suggesting he tolerated it all because of his love for his children.
As the evening wore on, Father settled into a comfortable position, wrapping his wing around me to keep me secure on his belly. Despite the initial discomfort, he found himself relaxing into the sensation, enjoying the closeness with his little one.
The rest of the family drifted off to sleep, with the older kids settling into their usual nesting positions around the cave. Mother smiled softly as she watched Father and me, feeling grateful for the love and bond that filled their little family.
As the night deepened, Father's eyes grew heavy, and he let out a gentle sigh. The slimes inside him had finally settled down, and he was able to find a measure of peace.
With a contented murmur, Father drifted off to sleep, his wing wrapped protectively around me, and a soft smile on his face. The cave was filled with the gentle sounds of sleeping dragons, and the warmth of their love.