Chapter 7: The Calm Before the Storm

-Neutral pov-

It is said that dreams are the subconscious communicating to the conscious mind or even in some instants to the soul itself. For in dreams one can do anything whether it is sensible or logical. So, why is it that some dreams can be hard to recall than others? Why do some nightmare haunt us so? Such questions plagued Saber from time to time, but after the night he had the tussle with Cynder, strange dreams and nightmares came to him more frequently. What was the meaning of what Saber saw in these dreams and nightmares and why were they becoming so vivid?

-Saber's pov-

The rays of sunlight through the leaves hit my eyelids, signaling it was morning and time to wake up. Normally, I would get out of where I would sleep at a fair pace with no real issue, but today was not one of those kinds of days. My body was sore all over from the events of yesterday which shouldn't be surprising to me with what I went through. My right arm in particular was throbbing badly thanks to Cynder, yet I don't blame her for what happened to me, she just didn't understand that when you ask things of me to be specific. Then there had been the nightmare last night that seems to come to me from time to time and that hadn't helped me. So again, one of those days that don't start well and have a nasty habit of keeping the streak of non-nice events going.

I let out a groan of pain and out of habit rolled over not wanting to start the day just yet as I have a hunch it wouldn't be a nice one. I regretted that habitual action extremely quickly due to the immediate result. The reason being it had slipped my mind that I had been sleeping on a branch up in a tree so, I plummeted down a good long way to the ground. My hatred of gravity flared up with it doing its thing whether we want it or not inducing pain in me! Fortunately, there was a large pile of leaves and thick grass around the base of the tree, so I didn't break much of anything when I crashed at least.

Still that didn't address the point, which is crashing down to the ground hurts like hell! Pain is a very effective wakeup call as I've be reminded of for, I had learned this lesson enough times to know how it works, which can be summed up in three words, my Uncle Douchebag. Back to the point, pain is an unwelcome kind of alarm to be sure. I laid there just gazing up at the limb around thirty feet or so above me where I'd slept last night. "Oh yeah I forgot, I was up a tree last night… both literally and figuratively!" I laid where I was and sighed, "It is days like this it does not pay to get out of bed," I grumbled to myself, since the pain was fresh.

I got up slowly due in part to not getting much sleep the previous night sleeping up in a tree wasn't very effective at providing good quality sleep. I could now say from experience sleeping up a tree wasn't comfortable. Add crashing to the ground to top it off all of that and you have not the best way to start a morning! When I got to my feet, I whipped up to straighten my spine, I felt as well as heard my spine give off several cracks in quick succession as the vertebrae slid back into their proper place. "WOW," I exclaimed, "that felt interesting, not exactly nice per say but, better now that my spine is back in its aligned place."

I started to stretch up and down loosening my muscles in preparation for my daily morning routine as much as to get over the pain. Martial arts practice in the morning was something I had done every day without fail for the last twelve years almost thirteen now. It was a kind of way to remember when I had started training at the dojo.

The morning was crisp and clear not too cold, and it was a very refreshing one in fact, a perfect morning to exercise and work out the negativity I had. After an hour, my morning was improving and so was my mood after exercising as I tend to be after a reasonably productive morning routine. I went over to the lake and splashed water on my face. I also decided to take a dip to wash off the sweat acquired during morning exercise, so I dove into the water. When I had I got out, I used the heat from anger to I guess you would call it for drying myself off.

That done I headed back to the clearing where the evening meal had been the previous night. I was hoping that was where the food would be for breakfast, I really needed the food after the workout I did this morning. As I entered the camp, I saw that there was a growing pile of meat that I assumed was for the morning meal and I frowned slightly for a second at the sight. Now it isn't that I'm not fond of meat for I'm in no way a vegetarian, but variety would be nice, at least I tend to eat less if any meat for breakfast to start the day. Not that dragons it would seem have the same opinion, one of the differences I guess, go figure.

Oh well, when the food you need to eat isn't provided, then go and get it yourself! I then turned a hundred-eighty degrees then went back into the foliage in search for the before mentioned fruit and vegetables. Providing for myself was a very familiar past time for me due to as you may suspect by this point, Uncle Douchebag. So, I've been able to look after and take care of myself shortly after I had turned six almost seven. Rare as it was, I had developed the skills that most adults have very hard times learning and maintaining and that was due to necessity. Honestly, it was mostly that 50% of the mornings my Uncle was drunk and out cold, so I was on my own!

After searching for fruits and vegetables and acquiring them, I was walking back with a non-small haul for me at least evident by my bulging pack. If truth be told, in the said collection of food I couldn't actually identify any of the fruits or vegetables, but this is a different world. The ones I had gathered had at least not looked exactly like anything I have ever seen before. As I got back to the clearing, I saw the morning meal was well under way. You could tell not only seen by the fast decreasing pile of meat, you also could by the dragons grouping together. It seemed like humans, dragons are social during meals. Well, I sat down by a tree thinking that it was as good a spot as any to set up for breakfast.

I put down my pack reached in and pulled out an apple looking fruit that was purple instead of red. Other than that, it was pretty much the same in size and shape. Well, eating something I know nothing about, what is the worst that can happen? I bit into the 'fruit' and I had to say, it tasted pretty darn good! Then around five second after biting into it and the juice hitting my tongue, then came the second part of the taste. It felt like taking a kick full in the face in a good way... if that makes sense. Wow the shear amount of the sugar made my tongue fell like it was doing the samba at top speed! Then came the next wave of taste, I swear that there was a professional choir singing at the top of their lungs the hallelujah chorus. I look at the fruit my eyes wide in amazement. "Good golly this is amazing, I haven't tasted anything like this in my life," I muttered.

I started to stuff my face with the fruits and vegetables as fast as I could wolf them down.

I breathed a sigh of content just having consumed the pile of food. I watched the dragons continue to eat though. After a few minutes I started to feel odd, my stomach gave a rumble that I really didn't like the sound of. Okay hindsight, eating things you know nothing about is rather stupid! OOOOOOHHHHHH stuffing down food I know nothing about is even worse, talk about the pain of regret in all its horrible glory! I clutched my gut as the pain climbed in intensity… just the time for my bad luck to strike… CRAP! Where is the BATHROOM?

I was up and running back into the forest as fast as my legs could carry me while holding my middle and I could run fast when I had a reason to do so. I got maybe between thirty to forty yards into the trees when I felt a burst of pain in my gut. Now, I have had cramps when I eat food that doesn't agree with me, so I knew the feeling I was having. However, this cramp was a beast that I hadn't dealt with before now and it was bad with a capital 'B'!

All the gears that keep the gut running correctly, figuratively speaking came to a screeching halt and went into full reverse and quickly picked up speed. That was never a good sign and all I could do was lean against the nearest tree and groaned. As if on cue, it felt like someone grabbed my gut in both hands, then began to twist the top one direction and the bottom the other as hard as they could. The first wave of breakfast came up in my first hurl and coughing fit and it tasted horrid. I stumbled forward and fell over a low branch, a very unlucky happenstance that one when you are sick like this having an object hit you gut is the worst thing to have occurred! I puked again, and another wave of food came up and it just kept going on from there.

Once the purging of the 'fruit' was done, I walked slowly out of the forest clutching my gut in pain. I still felt queasy even after the puke fest that I had just experienced, but my gut was doing better. I vowed to never again eat food without testing it on the lightbulb with wings first, never ever again! Although my gut was feeling better than before, I was still close to the point of wishing that someone would just drive a car over my gut and be done with the pain that was throbbing. But then I noticed that there was some sort of commotion in the direction I had been. I brought up my head to see the dragons hovering over another one of the fruits I had eaten. It was the one that looked like weird grapes, but a kind of yellow color to them. Then I overheard some of the dragons saying, "Hope no one has been eating these things or they will be feeling bad for a while," said one of the dragons.

At hearing that, I couldn't help the sigh that came from me for the advice or warning is too little too late to be of any use to me the foolish victim. But, looking on the bright side of things as I attempt to do, the thought is appreciated. It was then I felt that I was being watched that was becoming all too familiar blaring in my head, combined with the vein on my forehead began to pop too. I REALLY didn't need any form of comic relief right now, especially not after the morning I'd had thus far! I turned to see, as expected Sparx, one of my hands went to a tree to provide support and balance before I shuttered as I panted, "Not… one single word… from you IC! I am not in the mood right now," I growled in a low menacing tone.

Sparx looked at me curiously, "What by the ancestors happened to you? Eat something bad?"

Oh, words couldn't accurately get across, how much I wanted to smack the lightbulb with wings in a really painful way right now! How Sparx can irk me and get under my skin like he does, I can't say for it doesn't make sense to me with what I know. I was forced to merely glare at IC letting out a weak growl as I did so, "Shut up stupid fly," I covered my mouth in vain attempt to stop myself from throwing up. Yet my digestive system would have no argument from me as I hurled again, the only good thing that the barfing brought me was that I finished getting up the last of 'breakfast'. Once that was done, I glared back at the annoying dragonfly that wouldn't stay out of my business, "Shut it you," I panted, "I do not need to hear it from you!"

Sparx looked at me then looked at the commotion then back at me. He then began to snicker at me, "You ate some of that, how stupid are you," he followed that by laughing.

My gaze became near murderous with the malicious intent that was flowing through me at the moment. The single reason I hadn't done things to shut up IC was that Spyro cared about the bug and I didn't want to hurt him. But this wouldn't go unanswered, a tall order to do in my current state however, I would find a way even if I had to wait! "Mark my words IC… somehow, someway, I will make you pay for your comments and do not dare forget that," I snarled coldly.

I slowly walked away from Sparx fuming at being caught by him in this state. Nevertheless, I couldn't make him pay at the current moment, but… the time I would have to come up with ways to do so… oh, the possibilities HA HA HA HA HA HA! Thinking of those images did give me marginal comfort in my current situation.

After the time I'd been puking what felt like all my guts out I did feel better. From there, I made observations of the activities of the dragons, it looked highly unlikely that we would be going anywhere today. So, I thought I might as well explore to pass the time and not be idle, since I don't like to have idle time, it isn't healthy for me. As I started off on the exploring, who should I stumble across, but my new friend Spyro by the lake. The purple dragon was looking in a very troubled state right now, "Uh, Spyro are you doing okay," I asked.

To my surprise, Spyro jumped and spun around facing me with a bit of fear which isn't a reaction I got from him. I didn't expect him to react like this at all and it caused me to take a second look at the purple dragon for he wasn't normally like this by what I've seen. Spyro was shaking slightly, but it wasn't out of fear exactly, not from what I was reading. He was also panting though I didn't see any other sign that would denote running having been done recently. His face was also a noticeable shade of crimson, which was rather interesting against his purple scales, made it harder to see by a margin. His eyes were wide with fright of something, I can't guess what though. None of this was normal for Spyro, "Oh …Saber, you surprised me, I thought," he said his voice shaky as he trailed off.

I was starting to worry about this dragon, and I don't even know what the cause of this change in Spyro's mood was. However, it also increased my curiosity quite a bit, "Thought what Spyro," I questioned evenly.

Spyro quickly looked away from me, "I thought you were someone else, …it's nothing."

I raised an eye brow at this, nothing Spyro says, that's as believable as IC taking on a vow of silence for more than a day, no more than an hour. So then, the question is whom is Spyro avoiding at the moment, "And uh… whom did you think I was Spyro," I inquired.

Spyro looked at the ground trying not to face me and whispered his answer, "Cynder."

Wait a cotton-picking minute, isn't Cynder the dragoness he likes, but hasn't exactly admitted it to himself? If that's the case, then why the hell would he avoid her? Perhaps there's something going on that hasn't been mentioned to others between the two? These were just some of the questions coming to my mind with Spyro's reaction. From what I've seen thus far, Cynder and Spyro are more than close, they're inseparable the majority of the time. "You sound worried about Cynder being around you, what I cannot figure out is why for I have seen no signs of you having female troubles. So then, did something happen between you two such as a fight or something else Spyro," I asked. "Because that is as far as I understand, it is normal in a relationship for that to happen. I cannot say that I know that from experience for I have not had such a relationship and do not see it coming in my future, but that is besides the point. Fighting between a couple happens, so there is nothing wrong with the event," I said.

Spyro sighed and sat down in the sand of the lake shoreline and I followed suit, "No, that is not what happened. We did not have a fight it is just… I do not know, she is acting differently than she normally does," Spyro answered me, then he began to give some details about what he meant.

I listened to Spyro talk and I couldn't help the mental groan that occurred in my mind from the realization I was having. The facts that I was hearing from Spyro gave the impression of what was going on between the two dragons and I don't like what was coming to mind. The two main reasons about the impression was the likely cause of the situation between Spyro and Cynder, and then my lack of experience with the subject matter. Now, there's the chance that I could be wrong in what I'm guessing, but I doubt it right now. Best to get more information I suppose, "Okay, so Cynder is not being her usual self, and I assume that you would know that better than I would with the little time that I have gotten to know her. But, could you give some particular examples of Cynder doing 'odd' things please? I am trying to put together a picture I can comprehend," I requested.

Spyro winced at my request making me think that there were some unpleasant memories upon this subject. I waited patiently since Spyro didn't speak up right away, but he did speak eventually, "Well lately, Cynder has been far more clinging around me than she is normally, not leaving me alone. And it is not that I mind it, but it is getting a little uncomfortable, because she is giving me no space for myself. Then, when I am around her it gets really hard to think clearly, and I cannot explain why that happens, it has not occurred before now."

Spyro continued to tell me specific examples of what Cynder had been doing and the more I listened to, the more I didn't like the picture I was putting together. The picture was as I suspected, Cynder was attempting to give Spyro a 'hint' that she wanted to 'get together' with him and get busy. Intimate, romantic relationships are a subject that I know little about and don't really have much of an interest in learning about myself. And yet, the more Spyro told me, the more stressed I became, and I haven't a clue why I was becoming so! However, this was showing just how dense and ignorant Spyro was, not that it is a bad quality it just can be frustrating for those on the sidelines. Yes, it's due to him being the nice innocent dragon that he is I get that, but come on, is Spyro seriously so blind to what's going on here?!

To those of us who are not dense or innocent to the point that you're blind to what should be obvious, Cynder is clearly dropping non-verbal messages to Spyro. Heck, I dare say she's pretty much outright flirting with him in public to get his attention and my purple friend didn't realize what point she was saying! Sadder still by the sound of this, it wasn't the first time Cynder has done this activity with Spyro being the intended target! This situation was making wonder and ask myself a number of questions about dragons and their social norms. They may be similar to human social norms, but I have the hunch that they aren't overall. It surprises and kind of bugging me a bit that none seem to have an issue with this idea, it's more like a common practice. But then, for all I know here in the dragon realm flirting in public could very well be an acceptable thing to do when others are watching and not seen as perverted or societally wrong as it is with humans normally. I'm still not completely sure what is good and fine verses what is not in societal practice here yet. I just have a feeling that I won't be aligning with them anytime in the near future, but then that's normal for me, it's been like that for years.

As to why Spyro having trouble thinking clearly and straight, I not one hundred percent sure, but I have a feeling it has something to do with the subject of 'attraction'. Like with human males, I assume that male dragons can become dumb, blithering idiots in the presence of the opposite gender, more so around ones they like. Going on that assumption, Spyro is clearly attracted to Cynder and so it would stand to reason that he doesn't want to make a fool of himself meaning he failed sometimes. But, most of what I know is just theory that is made up from observation and not experience which I prefer.

That being stated, then comes the need to answer a question that is plaguing me since this conversation began, why am I stressing out about this so dang much?! The two dragons have been going through this for a time now by what I understand. Yet, no one has said anything, and it's been getting on my nerves for some reason! I mean, these two are freaking beating around the bush without the curtsey of calling it flirting! Oh to hell with it, I know I will regret helping Spyro out like I will later, but still this stress is bad for my health!

"Spyro," I cut him off in the conversation. He looked up at me and I continued, "Look, I think I understand what is happening, the picture has become clear enough to me. If you want me to tell you I will, although please, let me explain completely before you interrupt and yes, you will likely want to interrupt."

Spyro just nodded in response and I sighed and gave him a serious look. I would soften the blow as much as I could yet, even I have my limitations. I'm not a miracle worker, "From what you have told me, it sounds like Cynder is acting the way she is around you for a particular reason. Said reason is she wants you to get together with her and get busy, is that plain enough for you," I posed, hoping he would understand me.

I hope that Spyro would understand, I would RATHER not go further into this subject. I don't have the experience in said area and it is a subject I have no interest in, but I still know enough of the basics by now. Spyro stared at me blankly after hearing my explanation, "Get together and get busy? What are you talking about," Spyro asked clearly confused.

I nearly face planted at that reply, and I'm left to wonder how old Spyro actually is, since I was under the impression that he was close to the same age as me. If that's the case, then he should be learning or have learned what come with an intimate relationship. I know about the subject more second hand, yet that's by my own choice and I stand by it for the time being. I tried to hold in the groan that was coming, and managed to keep it soft in volume, but couldn't stop it completely. For apparently, Spyro is more clueless in this then I pegged him to be, because he doesn't know what I'm trying to tell him about. "Oh come on Spyro, you cannot be that dense, can you? When I say get busy, I mean Cynder wants to have sex with you of course!"

There isn't much of a way that I can put this simpler than I just said it, hopefully that would end this part of the conversation. I don't think I can be any more upfront or blunt than I just was however, Spyro just kept looking at me with a blank expression. "Uh c-ex, what is that," he questioned.

I had to catch myself from nearly doing a face plant with the question Spyro put forth, but I did get real close to kissing the ground, closer than the just moments ago. Spyro apparently didn't get my drift that I was implying, nor my blunt answer, so much for simplicity being able to help in this! Okay fine, it is likely that the dragon race had a different term for the said activity of sex. That leaves me to have to guess at what term will make sense to my purple friend is. I smacked my forehead with a hand, "Very well, I will give you the kid version of this lecture, I ask you to not take offense, but that is the best way I can still come up with to explain this," I said, before pausing to think about how to give the 'birds and the bees' talk.

I had not ever gotten that lecture but I know the general points of it, enough to get through it at least. I took in a breath and continued, "Spyro you see, when a dragon and dragoness develop an attraction to each other, you can say a liking for if you want. The two have a tendency to want to spend time with one another often. Are you with me so far?" Spyro nodded in the affirmative, which showed that he did have some understanding of this idea, at least when it comes to attraction. So, I kept going, "As the feelings between the two grow and increase, they have desire to come together and uh," I paused and took a stab in the dark, "partner up. That eventually tends to end up with children or off-spring being born or hatched as the result given time," I iterated.

At the mention of children Spyro's eyes went wide, "Wait you mean like mating," he questioned in a slightly strained tone.

AH, so 'mating' is the term that's used here, good to know plus, it seems Spyro finally understands the big picture I'm presenting to him. I held the gaze of the purple dragon with an expression of indifference and gave a slight nod, "Yes, that is another way of putting it," I replied.

Spyro started to tremble again and panicking, which made me wonder a bit. Clearly, he didn't feel very happy with the idea of children coming from him and Cynder. Although, that was in itself was odd, I would have thought he would have been happy with such an idea for I wouldn't doubt Spyro would make a great parent. Yet, I've little to judge by in what a good parent is for my only example of a parent is a drunken douche bag that doesn't try to hide that side! I tend to go off the example of Master Kai as what a parental figure should be, but I could be wrong.

"I am not ready for that kind of responsibility," Spyro blurted out suddenly.

I was brought up short by Spyro's reaction and I felt my eyes roll as Spyro was still missing key points in the picture that I was seeing. He may have got the first part of this issue, yet he does not seem to understand the subject that is being in an intimate relationship. "Um Spyro, by what you have said Cynder has been doing, I seriously doubt that she will give you a choice in the matter much longer. Especially if dragonesses are like human females, then you definitely have little time to continue avoiding this issue," I stated firmly.

Spyro's expression begged me for help silently and I felt pity for my new friend in his current plight. I really feel for him, I really do… for I know what it's like to be trapped in a position that you didn't knowingly put yourself into. I would rather not go into details about what I've dealt with for it isn't the exact same, but I've had some situations that had females trapping me before. Nonetheless, I don't think that I should get involved in the relationship he has with Cynder. And honestly, I don't even know why he's panicking so much, "There has got to be something that can be done to stop this," Spyro said, still panicking.

The purple dragon has absolutely no clue what he's dealing with when it comes to girls, poor naïve fool. The feeling and hunch I have is that Sparx was partially blame for Spyro's naiveté did come to my mind, but I dismissed the thought for the time being. That certainly didn't stop me from cursing that light bulb with wings! But why is he asking me for help in this, probably because I'm listening I suppose, "Like I said, I seriously doubt that Cynder will give up on you Spyro, at least that is what it sounds like to me with what you described. Cynder is in what we humans would call 'heat' and that is not something that she will likely ignore. Besides, why are you so afraid of being with Cynder and ending out being a father Spyro? Cynder seems nice, devoted, qualities that are very commendable in a female partner, more than you would know. Plus, it is not like you would have a kid tomorrow or anything. As well as parenthood is something everyone learns as they go to my understanding, but that comes later I believe. Still the point is that popping out a kid takes time Spyro," I reasoned.

"Maybe that is true for humans, but dragons are different," Spyro shot back.

Oh, so that's what Spyro was so worried about, he really doesn't know how birth works, wonder where his knowledge comes from with this subject. Granted, I know little about dragons' reproductive process though it's my understanding that dragons come from eggs if I remember the stories and lore right. But an egg is still, much like a womb I believe cooks the baby until they are done! That cooking them takes some time if it is done right, "Granted, but still trust me Spyro, kids do not come that quickly, having kids takes time."

Spyro was silent with worry. I just stared at him, after a few minutes I sighed as I pitied him a little. Most are afraid of the unknown nevertheless, there's a point when that fear becomes cowardice! "Look, I will give you some advice Spyro. I do not know if you have the courage to take. But I can guarantee it will improve the situation," I commented.

Spyro looked up at me with hope, "That is?"

I took a deep breath for this could go in any direction, but what the hell, I might as well go the whole nine-yard distance. "Go find Cynder and jump her bones," I stated flatly.

Spyro looked wide eyed at me again, "What," he questioned.

"You heard me! Go to her bang the junk in her trunk! Do the humpty hump! Roll around in the hay! Go to her and get laid! Go get a room, go to her and wahoo! There are so many different ways I could say it yet, I will not keep going! It would just keep getting even more degrading for everyone. Now just go find her and mate with her DARN IT! Then we can all get over this crappy drama," I said with rising volume in my voice.

Spyro looked scared but ran off all the same. I could not resist getting in the last word, "Oi Spyro good luck, be a man or dragon."

I watched him run off, I'm sure hope he would be okay, this was Cynder we were talking about. Then felt a familiar shiver and vein popping… of all times for him to appear, it would be now wouldn't it? I spun around and grabbed Sparx out of midair, "I thought I felt an eavesdropping idiot around! Talk about an unwelcome fly on the wall listening on things that do not concern him! You seem to be done having fun laughing at my expense you stupid punk. Now, not a word out of you ya ghastly gossip, that is how crappy rumors start. You are worse than any social networking idea that has come into existence past, presence and likely future. Don't worry Spyro will be fine, I mean I highly doubt Cynder will do anything harmful to him, at least anything permanent that is. So read my lips IC, Leave… Them… Alone! You got that, or I give you an up close and personal view of the bottom of the lake here."

Sparx looked at me, a look of disgust, "I wouldn't swim with you," was his reply.

I snickered at this for it was so funny to me as I never actually said how I would show him. Oh Sparx I thought you would have learned by now, nothing is ever as simple as that, "I never said it would be swimming now did I fish bait? I need food to replace what I hurled up earlier. So don't tempt me on using you to teach you what fly fishing is all about. For I would use you to teach myself the sport since I have never taken the time to learn it."

Chapter End

A/n

This is where I will leave off for chapter 7. I'm hoping that your readers are liking the changes thus far. Sorry that the chapter have been taking so long, have had less time than I would like to work on this with life as it is. Still, please some of you write a review to tell me what you think, comments are appreciate. Working on more chapters and hope to have them up soon enough, we'll see how things go.