[Yes.]

"Kashik, I'm scared," you say as soon as the afterglow fades and the true weight of what you have just done settles in.

"Huh? Why?" He responds, moving over to stand beside you, his eyes full of nothing but caring for you.

"What if I'm a bad mother? I didn't exactly have the best role models, and I'm not sure I can handle three clutches of wyrmlings at the same time, let alone six, which I will surely have if we mate again. I just don't think I'm ready..." You explain mournfully.

"No one is ever 'ready' to become a parent for the first time, even if they have the best role models and training in the world. We're going to make mistakes, and things will be hard at first, but my mother, father, and siblings will help. We're going to do alright by our children, and that's all any reasonable person can expect." Kashik says soothingly.

"But what if they take after me more than you? We're both something new in the world, half-breeds of two different types of dragon, our children could develop any sort of mindset." You worry, and Kashik shakes his head.

"Nurture as well as nature will play a part. If we raise them to be responsible and respectful, they will become more like the metallic dragons than the chromatics in outlook. I realize this will probably make you uncomfortable around them to a degree, but you already see the dangers of them not going that way, so you will do the right thing for your children to the best you are able." He explains, rubbing your cheeks with his thumb to wipe away your tears.

At that moment, you want to tell him 'I love you,' but it seems too sudden, and too soon, so you keep quiet and just grasp his hand firmly, and smile at him. He smiles back: you think he understands.

Love making complete you take to the air and resume your journey, there are many miles to travel, and it is well past noon now, you must be on your way...