Underlying issues

To call her fury a storm wouldn't do justice to the wrath she was about inflict upon the pair. To see her husband with the one she was certain was Cynder, whom was wearing her favourite necklace, launched her skywardly over the narrow edge created from earlier annoyances.

While seeing them in the middle of the hallway and not creating elements in the bedroom did come off as a little off, her rage left little room for reason.

However, Spyro wasn't completely defenceless against the surging tide. While he was certainly startled by the sudden crash of wood and words, he had anticipated a storm. All the prior hours worrying about this fated encounter had not been wasted silently fretting.

He approached the seething dragoness, wailing baby in hand. The purple dragon gently swayed his beloved son, stifling his cries back into quieter murmurs. Spyro's eyes held gaze with Solaria's twin infernos unwaveringly.

Solaria though, broke her concentration when she noticed her precious child reaching out to her with outstretched arms, glistening tears in his eyes. His gentle smile stretched wide at the simple sight of his mother home.

Her brow eased mellowly, she reached out and clasped him in her two unfurled talons, soft as a whisper. Her hatchling gripped onto her chest and burrowed his head into her scales, nuzzling into his mother's embrace.

Solaria's shoulders drooped, but while she didn't plan on yelling anymore, she hadn't forgotten the situation which led to it in the first place. For now, she will play as judge and not as executioner. Her eyes retraced back to Spyro's head, an expectant snarl on her face. He was still smiling, an 'innocent' smirk which only further annoyed her.

"Evening, my love," he started.

She will not fall for his butter-smooth words…

"Care to explain to me what the hell is going on?" Her words were low and resentful.

"Of course," Spyro answered, changing his tone to more serious while still holding onto the that tip of happiness. "After I came back from a break, I saw a letter addressed to me, signed by Cynder."

"And that's it?"

Spyro shook his head. "No. Cynder invited me to meet her in private so I took the afternoon off-"

"You took the afternoon off?!"

Spyro was taken aback briefly by the question. "It- it was approved by Burrow, my agent."

Solaria sighed loudly and threw her head back. "That doesn't make it right, Spyro. You don't just give leave work to go off and look for someone."

"But she was, she's right here."

"And that's the other issue…" She turned towards the black dragoness. "Cynder?!"

Cynder only stood and listened to the stern reprimanding. She visibly flinched though when Solaria snapped her head in her direction and audibly called her name.

"It's nice to meet you and all, but could you please give us a minute. We've got family business to talk about."

"Errm, sure," Cynder responded, only too glad to remove herself from this awkward situation.

She paced by the two, their gazes following her every step. She had just got in line with them when a intentional cough on Solaria's part caused her to pause. She looked towards the red dragoness, who had a frown on her face and a paw outstretched.

"My necklace, if you wouldn't mind."

Cynder could sense a hint of disgruntlement hidden in her tone. She sheepishly looked back at the sullen guardian and fumbled around with the neck band's latch, eventually managing to remove it from her own neck. She then handed it back into the waiting claw of Solaria.

"Thank you. Now could you please give us a moment."

Cynder nodded, and continued on her way out the doors, discreetly closing them behind her as she went to wait outside.

As soon as the entrance was sealed shut, Solaria resumed her interrogation on Spyro. "Why was she wearing this?" She shook the neckpiece.

"I wanted to give her something nice to welcome her back."

"So you gave her something that belonged to me? My favourite piece no less."

Spyro was baffled by the last phrase of that sentence. "If that's your favourite piece, then why do you never wear it?"

Solaria was confused by the question. "Because I prefer being able to see it everyday everytime I open that draw. As a reminder of the love you shower me with every day. If I wore it everywhere I go, I would never see it on my neck. Why don't you ever listen to me when I tell you these things…"

Spyro could only look back in self-disappointment, she had told him this ages ago... "I...I don't know. I just thought that...I'm sorry."

Solaria could tell she had upset him, and despite her prior anger, she could never stay mad at him for long. A slight smile tugged at the corners of her maw, away from the descended eyes of Spyro looking at the floor in shame.

She breathed relievingly. She knew Spyro would never do anything purposely to hurt or annoy her, even if it's doing something stupid, or stuck in his daydreams as she often caught him in. He was only doing what he thought made people happy, as he usually does. Sometimes it was hard being him, and you can't please everyone: she knew that from personal experience. In fact, she even felt a twinge of guilt for reacting the way she did, especially on such an occasion, and felt compelled to apologise.

Solaria caught the purple dragon off guard with a one-clawed hug. She nuzzled his neck with her cheek, causing Spyro to remain still and uncertain of her confusing intentions.

Solaria then brought her head to meet Spyro's curious gaze. "I understand, okay? You're excited, Cynder is back, and I'm happy for you. But that doesn't mean you can shirk your duties, okay?"

Spyro shifted his head slightly. "You're not angry?"

"I am a little, but I know you didn't mean it. I just had a moment of stress, add into the mix the mess you've gotten yourself into...and I guess I went a little overboard… So, I'm sorry for that." She then turned her head down to her adorable hatchling. Ignirius had his little red paws wavering in the air, giggling away like happy, mad man. "And mummys' sorry she scared you," she added goofily.

"What about Cynder?" Spyro asked, despite things going more smoothly than he had hoped, there were a still a few worries he had to quell.

"What about her?" Solaria had to think for a second on what he was prodding at. Only the unspoken subject of Spyro and Cynder's brief romance, along with the tantalizing delay it had put on their own love, came to mind. But to her, that's a thing of the distant past, a bother that now ceased to exist long ago. Now that she has what she wanted, that memory no longer mattered. She knew Spyro would never go back to her so long as she was in his life, because Spyro loved her. "Right...that… That doesn't bother me anymore. We're married, and I love and trust you enough to know you would never go back on that. So if you wish to make her a part of your life, then know I am happy for you."

These words settled Spyro's turmoiled mind, casting a mellow cover over it and blanketing it into easement. "Glad to hear."

"Anyway, I better get ready. We're going to be late otherwise."

Solaria took the oblivious infant back with her as she started to head for the ramped stairwell.

Spyro smiled. "Mr Moneybags will be back in around half-hour, so take your time. I'll let Cynder back in and we'll wait for you."

Solaria stopped and sharply turned her head. "She isn't coming, is she?"

"Actually, I was hoping she could."

She turned around and reapproached Spyro. "You know that night is just for the two of us. That's how it's been for the last four years."

"I know, but I was hoping that maybe she could come as well, this time. It is the Festival of Heroes after all, and she is a hero."

She couldn't help but shake her head and softly smile at his attempts to grasp straws. "Look, I know you're really excited to see her, but this is our time, our night and that is how it will always be. I'm sorry, but she cannot come."

Again, Spyro frowned.

"But," Solaria added, "if she wants to experience the festival to fullest, tell her to go to Dragoneye Street. No doubt the party will be in full swing there. And just before sunset, tell her to head to the roofs for the fireworks. I'm sure that will be a great welcome for her."

Spyro let out a disheartened breath. There was no contending with her once she has made her mind up without conflict, something Spyro actively avoided unless it really matter.

"I'll let her now."

"Thank you, sweetheart. I'll take little Ignirius and try to get him to sleep." The little hatchling squirmed eagerly in her grasp. "Though I feel like Moneybags will have his money's worth this evening," she added grinningly. With that, she took their giggling hatchling and headed up the ramped stairway.

While Spyro was feeling down, he couldn't help but be irritated by how long it was took to use the stairwell now that Cynder had pointed it out… Regardless, he turned to the tall doorways. He had sad news to give.


Cynder strolled the length of the door impatiently in angst. She could barely hear the muffled words of Spyro and Solaria behind the thick oak doors. The guards also prevented her from eavesdropping, their motion-detecting eyes carefully monitored the movements of the black dragoness.

Eventually though, a click, followed by a slight creak sounded. Cynder inclined her head towards the door, and to her relief, it was Spyro. She did take note of the slight frown fixed on his face, indicating it did not go well.

She bounded over the monochrome tiles towards him. "Are you okay?"

Spyro raised his head. "I'm fine. But I'm afraid Solaria says you cannot come tonight though."

Cynder was slightly taken aback, but quickly comes to terms with it. It only made sense after the strained encounter before. So with a hint of disappointment in her voice, she responded with, "I understand."

"I wish it was otherwise, but Solaria said-."

"Spyro, it's fine. I get it, okay?"

"Right."

The conversation fell into a null silence, leaving Cynder to rake her brain to not end the talk on a sorrowful note. "If you want me to, I could look after your little tyke while you enjoy your evening?"

Spyro was hesitant to answer. He knew exactly what Solaria's blatant response would be - no. "Solaria only allows us or Mr Moneybags to be alone with Ignirius at any given time."

Again, Cynder exhaled. It was probably best. To be babysitting the child of the one who still hold a torch to while they're married was only a bit weird. The only real downside though to these rejections was that she didn't have anywhere else to go, nor anything to do. She was stuck, alone on what was building up to be a great celebration for the city.

But Spyro being Spyro, always had a way to make things better. "What do you fancy for dinner? I'm guessing you didn't bring any gems?"

Having spent so long away from civilization, Cynder had almost forgotten of purchasing goods for currency. It would take her a while to adapt to this new way of life.

"I know some good places you can go, depending on what you like of course. I can give you some gems, I would hate for you to spend the evening doing nothing on such a great day, especially after the crap you've dealt with."

Cynder was about to turn the offer down. But the concerned tone in his voice told her that Spyro wouldn't take no for an answer. Plus she trusted her gut instinct, and her's was rumbling.

With a sincere smile, she nodded and answered, "That would be great...thank you."

"So, what kind of food do you like?"

Cynder contemplated this. For the last ten years, all she really had was various fish hunted from the nearby shorelines on the island along with the odd treats Ignitus procured seemingly out of nowhere, and now she hated sushi.

She did remember vividly the heavenly taste that was venison though. "I guess I could go for some venison…"

Spyro chuckled. "Expensive taste, I see."

"If that's too much, then I'll get something else," she hastily replied.

Spyro shook his head smiling. "Honestly it's fine. I was joking. In fact, there is a great place nearby, it is a little hard to find. But once you find it, you can't miss the two giant, flaming torches. It's quiet there and the venison is great. I regularly go there during my lunch hour."

Cynder sighed happily, peace and quiet sounded right up her street, she didn't feel completely ready to completely announce her return to the city...

Spyro gave directions from the temple to the restaurant, not far from where he went earlier.

"Oh, and if you see Banzai, say hi to him from me, would you? He may be mad, but he's harmless...for the most part." Spyro sniggered. One of the last times he went there, Banzai lobbed a meat cleaver at the dart board during a game. But while some grumbled it nearly hit them, Banzai insisted that no one was actually in danger...it wasn't the safest joint, but no one has been injured since Spyro has been there... "And afterwards, head to somewhere high, high enough so you can see over the city walls. The Guardians put on a great firework display every year and they're always spectacular. You won't want to miss it."

"I'm sure I won't…"

Silence descended upon the two, as both took the occasional look away. Despite numerous setbacks and upsets...it had been a good day for both. For a moment, both enjoyed this blissful peace: forgetting their anger of the past, the wounds inflicted, and the discomfort diced up by Solaria's entrance.

Spyro realised they had just been staring at each other, so he took it upon himself to sever that dead ending interaction. "I will just go and get the gems."

Cynder casually inclined her head, watching as Spyro disappeared behind the door. He was barely gone for two minutes when he returned with a small, red sack, heavily filled with various coloured gems. The lip of the cotton sack had been sealed with a pale, tightened string. A thick strip of leather was also tied to the bag, meant to be tucked over the head of the wearer and rested on the shoulder.

Cynder didn't even need to look inside to see the vast wealth carried within, easily more than needed for a simple dinner out, as expensive as the exquisite venison was. She was about to refuse the motherload when Spyro answered her unspoken question.

"I've put in a little extra…"

Cynder smirked. Extra was an understatement…

"...So you can also find a place to stay for the night...since Solaria will more than likely not allow you to stay...and besides, we don't have any spare beds…"

Cynder could sense a hint of disappointment in his tone, like as if what he was giving her now wasn't enough. But of course, she thought this was ridiculous, he has done more than enough since she has returned.

Spyro did raise a good point though, Solaria didn't seem to have a high opinion of her yet...so she would probably need to find a location elsewhere to hunker down for the night.

Spyro handed the burdening bag over to her. Cynder then raised the strap over her head until it snugly gripped her shoulder. Having been lightly packed for previous years, the sudden shift in weight almost caused her to lean sideways, much to either dragon's amusement.

"I better get going. You will probably will need to get ready and Solaria would probably get annoyed me lingering outside your door."

"You're not a bother, honestly. I would love to see you soon again…" Spyro exhaled soundly and gently smiled. "I'm grateful you came back Cyn...more than anything in the world."

Cynder felt her heart flutter, which only elevated when Spyro nuzzled her on the cheek.

"This is fine…" Spyro thought, "We're only friends."

"See you later," Spyro added, closing the door behind him.

Cynder spent a moment glaring at the towering, white doors, thinking back to their brief touch. She then turned and wandered down the stretching corridor.


While Spyro waited for Solaria to have her shower, he gathered together a sizable pouch of sheeny gems, and left it in the usual spot for Mr Moneybags to collect. It wasn't too long before Solaria returned from the shower. Her scales now glistened that little bit extra. She also wore her new necklace.

She did contemplate wearing her favourite to appease Spyro, but she decided in the end it wasn't worth it. She had purchased this necklace to adorn for tonight and that is how it will stay.

There was still around fifteen minutes before Mr Moneybags was due to arrive, so both parents made the last checks to make sure everything was laid out and tidied up.

Exactly one hour after he said he would, the pampered bear waltzed into the home. They briefly shared pleasantries before the babysitter resumed his duties, immediately heading towards the varnished easel board propped up in the corner, a blank canvas awaited for the bear to spill his lavish imagination onto the infinite whiteness.

The last words spoken the household was Solaria's disgruntlement at essentially overpaying an artist who isn't doing what he is paid for and Spyro countering that he knows what he is doing.

Hi all, sorry for the lack of chapters recently, real life has been keeping me busy. But here is another chapter at long last. I hope to have BoLs tidied up before Christmas and then continue with BTHs after. (When that ones completed, then there might be a sequel to BoLs…)