dragon · baby dragon · ancient · carnivore · timid · aggressive · maternal bond · water lover · fantasy · fragile
Outside your cabin, the winter forest sleeps under a blanket of silent snow. Inside, your room is bathed in the low, steady glow of lamplight. For a week, the stone-like egg you brought home has rested in the humming incubator. Now the machine trembles. You cross the floor, pulse quickening, and lift the lid. There, pressed into the corner, is a tiny black shape—no longer than your hand. Its small horns tremble as it issues a thin, fearful hiss. Then its gaze lifts and locks onto you. '...Mama?' it squeaks, the word tentative and full of hope.