19
"Oh," Aurora leapt out of my grip.
Landing on all fours about twenty feet away. Her pure white scales shone in the sunlight. Her distinct feminine body shape made her look like a piece of art carved from precious gems. Sure my scales had a distinct shine to them, but my body was more hard angles, and sharp claws. Aurora was completely different.
She was gently curved everywhere with a lovely shine to her scales. Even her horns gently curved down before turning skyward at the tips. She was still chubby, and childish in appearance. It threw off her entire allure. I could definitely tell that her feminine wiles would come in with time.
Some had even started to show in her current appearance. Her three foot shoulder height, and long slender neck brought her eye level up to Goliath's height. She was a little behind my level of maturity when I was her age. She was smaller then I was as well. I didn't know if that was just her or if I'd grown unusually because of the system.
I lowered my head so Ethan could climb down. Just in case Aurora decided to jump me again. I flared my wings. Inviting her to play with me. Aurora crouched excitedly.
Her small size, and obvious childish youth made her much less threatening then me. I didn't see her presence here as a negative. If anything the young friendly drakeling would make a good impression. The difference between the two of us would promote them thinking of us as individuals. Once the shuttle was gone this place became the most open space within the compound.
We play wrestled there for most of the afternoon until Aurora was thoroughly worn out. Glad for my retractable teeth when I picked her up in my mouth, and set her on my back gently. She wanted to fuss, and play some more, but she could barely keep her eyes open anymore. Goliath smirked at me knowingly before joining the other five guys in the Humvee. Ethan just found himself a nice perch on my back, and rode along near where Aurora was.
The walk back to the warehouse was uneventful. Goliath hopped out of the Humvee, and joined us in the warehouse. From her appearance I guessed that Goliath was taking good care of Aurora. Her strength had grown a great deal as well. She could probably take on half a dozen soldiers on her own in a fight.
She wouldn't win, but still it would take at least six of them to take her down. Her wings twitched as she slept. Laying her down gently at the back of the warehouse. The quiet gentle sound of her sleeping was soothing. Not just to my ears either.
Goliath looked every bit the exhausted father figure I thought he might become when Aurora decided to bond to him.
"She's been working you pretty hard hasn't she?" I chuckled.
"Limitless energy or no energy at all are the only two ways she acts," Goliath sighed.
I could tell he wanted to sit. I signaled Jax subtly to get him to make a few chairs for the worn out old man. Jax complied willingly. Making stone chairs for all four of them.
"I don't think I've ever seen you worn out before," I chuckled at his exhaustion, "Not without being incredibly bloody that is."
"I'm just glad that she still sleeps about half the day," Goliath boomed joyously.
"I believe I found someone suitable to be her second bonded," I sighed, "A boy. A young one. Only two problems. He can't walk yet, and his mother doesn't like me much."
"Can't walk yet?" he eyed me funny.
"If you hadn't noticed it yet," I started explaining, "A bond to a dragon boosts regenerative ability. Even in those who have a weak bond."
"I noticed," he nodded confirmation.
"The boy has some sort of degenerating spinal condition," I huffed, "A bond would slowly reverse the damage, and get him back on his feet."
"You haven't run this past the mother yet," Goliath squinted at me.
"Until a week ago she didn't know I could speak," I snorted, "She wasn't a fan of me before she found out I was playing dumb."
"That can of worms probably didn't go over well," he frowned.
"I wouldn't know," I chuckled, "I've been completely out of it for the last week."
"Do you want me to ask?" his frown deepened.
"Do you want to have more time to rest?" I smirked.
"Besides the kids obvious disability," he paused, "Why do you think he's a good candidate?"
"I think he's a mage," I dropped my head down to Goliath's eye level.
"How sure are you?" Goliath turned serious.
"Seventy-five maybe eighty percent," I was glad he was taking me seriously now, "I had the impression that he was leaning toward water element."
"Fairly certain, and already have an element in mind," Goliath leaned back in his seat, "And that still only gets eighty percent certainty from you."
"I haven't had a chance to talk to him much," I shrugged, "Like I said before. His mother doesn't like me much."
"What makes you think that I can convince him better?" Goliath leaned forward.
Placing his elbows on his knees, closing his left hand into a fist, and grabbing it with his right hand.
"War hero or unknown archaic," I inhaled slowly, "Which one would you listen to?"
"I get your point," Goliath sighed, "I can try talking to her. I doubt she'll agree just on my word though. I'll try convincing her to allow a meeting between the two children. If they get along then maybe she'll think about it a little more."
"You'll have to remind her to be gentle," I snorted, "An accidental wounding would end the chance of any further meetings."
"I know that," he nodded, "I'm more worried about it then you are. Even if you are the one that hatched her. I'm the one that has been raising her."