A/N- In this world, a third gender is excepted. The pronouns are e/eir/erm. Royal pronouns, instead of Prince-King or Princess-Queen, is Prin-Jack.708Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7AS0DHC8EO
Inspired by a request drawing I did for someone: http://eyes-unblinded.deviantart.com/art/Big-Cat-and-Little-Dragon-561962286708Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwh9UU8WCiU
Once upon a time, or more specifically, some years ago, there was a small kingdom that lived in one of the valleys by a deep river, surrounded by tall, wooded hills, and even some mountains that reached the heavens. A castle carved from a smaller hill stood out with pride, taking on a shade of golden yellow whenever the sun’s rays would touch it. The houses, too, were made from the same sort of sunstone. From the view of the mountains, it looked as though there were speckles of gold shimmering in the valley.
This, for better or for worse, made the town a beacon for certain creatures. Notably the giant cats, birds, and dragons, the latter of which made their homes up on the surrounding hills and mountains. Thankfully, animals can be just as smart as humans – more so, even – and learned to keep their distance from the human valley or wander by some of the abandoned buildings that perched on the edge of the kingdom. Others, however, sought out human companions.
Duff was one of those domesticated Giant Cats. She was at least twice the size of normal cats, had striped-brown fur, big white paws, and a long tail that ended in a big white fluff. Her main human was Little Jack Rota, youngest Royal of the kingdom, but the two were allowed to go anywhere in the valley, as there was little chance of invasion due to the… Perceived higher threats.
During a cloudy, early Spring afternoon, Duff and Prin Rota decided to explore one of the abandoned buildings, as there was a rumour that a soon-to-be mother dragon was resting there. Duff chided the Prin, but e was a luster for knowledge and wanted to observe.
“I don’t like the smell of the air.” Duff said as she trotted by her human’s side, eyeing erm with her blue eyes.
“Don’t worry, I’ve read plenty of books.” Rota assured, flicking eir side pony tail over eir shoulder. “And we’ll stay at a distance.” Duff’s giant tail twitched and she sighed, but kept walking up the hill. As curious as the Prin could be, she loved erm like family.
They continued their way in a comfortable silence until they could see the small, snow-covered building.
“Yes, I’m definitely smelling blood.” Duff wrinkled her nose.
“Hmm…” Rota hummed, eyes narrowed in concentration. “I’m just gonna take a quick peak.” E adjusted eir satchel and took out eir wand from the brown cloak that covered erm, using several footprints for a path. With no choice, Duff followed the Prin.
As the two got closer, even Rota noticed the rank smell. When they entered the door, both stopped in their tracks, for what they saw was a majestic dragon splattered in blood. What was worse, all the bright cerulean dragon eggs were destroyed.
“Who or what could have done this?” Duff asked, ears folded down.
“A bigger dragon…” Rota mumbled , taking a few slow steps around the egg remains. Eir brown eyes met with the staring head of a fetus. “Or one of those rogue Mages that live around the hills.” E marched on and up to the mighty dragon corpse while Duff caught up. The two looked the beast over.
“She’s still warm.” Duff commented. “Probably only died about an hour ago.” Duff thought of how sad it was, for a mother to lose her children, and then die herself before she became one. If there was one thing in the kingdom the Royal Giant Cat Duff could never have, it was kittens.
She looked away, not wanting to think of such things, when a patch of sky blue caught her eye. Duff leaped over to the dragon’s arm and sure enough, a small dragon egg was tucked safely underneath.
“Rota, come look!”
Thus, Royal Giant Cat Duff and Prin Rota brought home a new member to the kingdom. Everyone in the palace was surprised and asked just what the youngest Royal would do with it. At first, Rota was thinking of using it for magic. Being the youngest, the Prin had no chance of becoming the ruling Jack of the Kingdom, for eir older brother would take the title of King. Thus, Rota worked hard to become one of the next King’s court Mage.
However, e had no idea what to do with the egg first and just spent the next few days writing observations and sketching. What decided the egg’s fate was one day not long after. Rota left to eat supper in the grand hall, which left Duff with her plate of chicken. As the Giant Cat ate, she made sure not to move too much, for the sky blue egg was hidden protectively under her tail fur.
“I wonder what you’ll look like when you hatch.” Duff wondered out loud. Unbeknownst to Rota, the Giant Cat didn’t want the egg to be used in the pursuit of magic and had been questioning every decision Rota made to keep erm undecided.
It was as she was about to start on her bowl of milk that a crack pierced the silence. Duff stared in wonder as lines appeared around the small egg. First a red leg, then an arm, and finally a head poked through the heavens. It began to squeal out small, high-pitched noises.
“Heh, welcome to the world, little’un.” She chuckled and started to lick the gunk off. When finished, she guided the little blind dragon over to the milk bowl, which it – he – greedily cleaned. The Giant Cat layed down nearby and watched him with a smile. Duff didn’t mind, if anything, she was absolutely delighted!
“Over here, now.” The baby dragon turned and squealed in the direction of her voice. Again Duff used her big paws and tail to guide him over to her. He then scaled up her body and curled up on top of her. She also closed her eyes and gave a contented sigh.
“I’ll protect you now… My Claddagh.”
ns 15.158.61.8da2
