A Day with the Parents

Cynder eyed herself in the mirror and craned her neck to study at her reflection from different angles. She stared at her image for several moments, unsatisfied. The only thing she found appealing was the silver and emerald necklace resting upon her scales. Sighing, she turned around to face a pink dragoness and asked, "How do I look?"

"You look fine," Ember assured her companion, but the black dragoness did not seem pleased with her answer.

"Are you sure?" Cynder tilted her head to get another look. "Something looks a bit off, but I don't know what."

Ember rolled her eyes. "Nothing is wrong with the way you look," she insisted. "If anything, I wish I looked half as good as you do."

Cynder blushed at the compliment. "Thanks. I'm just a little nervous."

"I can tell," Ember replied dryly. "Are you really feeling that nervous about seeing Spyro's parents? I thought you met them already."

"I did, but I only met them twice. The first time was right after we defeated Malefor and were returning to Warfang. The swamp was on the way. The second time was right before the festival started. Spyro wanted them to know that we were in a relationship."

The pink dragoness quirked a brow. "How did it turn out?"

"It…was okay," Cynder said at length, wearing a hesitant expression. "They were really excited when we told them. They said that they were glad to finally have a daughter. His mom even gave me a little hug."

Ember gasped softly and placed one paw over her heart. "That's so sweet!" The pink dragoness then cocked her head in confusion, remembering her friend's words from earlier. "But if they really feel that way, why are you so nervous about this then?"

Cynder looked away and began to trace some claw marks etched in the stone floor of her and Spyro's room. A frown covered her muzzle. "I don't know. I was never really comfortable around them. I've never had a family before. How am I supposed to act around them? They're really nice, but I always felt so awkward around them."

"Have you talked to Spyro about any of this?" Cynder shook her head. "Well why not? If you can tell me, you can definitely tell him!"

Cynder wore a half grimace on her muzzle. "It's not that simple. They're his parents. If I tell him, he might get the wrong idea. What if he thinks that I don't like them or something? I don't want to ruin our relationship because of this."

"And if you don't tell him, you will ruin your relationship. He loves you. Just be honest with him about this. I'm sure things will turn out well."

"I hope so." Cynder sighed. She looked outside through a nearby window. It was nearing midday. "They'll be here any minute now. I'm supposed to meet them by the Great Halls. Do you want to come with me?"

Ember stood up and smiled. "Sure."

The two dragonesses left the room and casually made their way to the Great halls. The pink dragoness decided to start a new conversation about some of the new wares she had spied in the marketplace recently. Cynder remained quiet for the most part, only sparing a few words at a time. The former Terror of the Skies was too preoccupied with her upcoming meeting to be invested in the discussion to the point where she failed to notice that Ember had stopped talking.

The fire dragoness nudged her companion, drawing her attention. "Just relax and be yourself. It'll be fine," she said, sensing Cynder's troubled feelings.

Cynder gave Ember a grateful smile. "Thanks, Ember. You're a great friend."

"I know," she replied smugly, a large grin spreading across her lips.

By the time they had arrived at the Great Halls, a new conversation about the latest gossip had sprung up between the two. It was a guilty pleasure for Cynder. She couldn't help but eat up the most recent rumors about a certain Ice Guardian being rather friendly to an unknown electric dragoness. Cynder listened so intently to Ember's recounting that she had ignored an unmistakable golden pair of wings descending towards them.

"And he always goes on about how 'superior' ice dragons are and how pure his bloodline is. Then he acts like some hatchling around this dragoness!" Ember said.

"Really?" Cynder asked. She leaned in towards her friend, absorbed into the story. "What happened next?"

"So what are you two talking about?" a familiar voice asked from behind Cynder.

The black dragoness nearly jumped upon hearing Spyro speak. She whirled around in a panic, her heart thumping. "Nothing!" she said in surprise. She eyed him warily. "…How much did you hear?"

Spyro smiled innocently at her and Ember. "I didn't really hear anything actually."

Cynder let out a quiet sigh of relief. So long as he didn't discover how she secretly enjoyed listening to gossip. "It was nothing important. It—"

"I didn't hear anything apart from how Cyril's got a little crush on an electric dragoness." The purple dragon smirked at his mate. "I didn't know you liked hearing about this kind of stuff, Cyn."

Her face flushed red. "I-I don't! I-it's just that it's very important to be well informed about what goes on in Warfang!" Cynder stammered and Spyro laughed. She glanced around. "So where are your parents?"

"Sparx wanted to show them something real quick before we met up," he answered.

"And why did you have us meet here?" Ember asked. "We could have met up at some place much nicer like the gardens or the park."

Spyro grinned sheepishly. "I, uh, wanted a quick snack before we did anything. They'll be here in a bit though!"

"Males," Cynder said, rolling her eyes. She poked his stomach with a claw, causing him protest. "You're always thinking with your stomach!"

He rubbed the spot she had poked him. "Not when I'm thinking about you," he said in an attempt to defend himself.

"I'm sure we all know what organ you think with when you're thinking about her," Ember countered.

Cynder tossed her head back and laughed while Spyro balked at them with reddened cheeks. "T-that's not…"

The black dragoness walked up the steps of the Great Hall and bumped her hips against his as she passed by. "Let's get something to eat while we keep teasing you." Ember followed her, leaving a defeated Spyro behind. As Cynder approached the top, she turned back towards him. "If you aren't actually hungry, we could just leave you there and get something for just ourselves instead," she called out to him.

Sighing, the purple drake padded after them. "I'm coming!" he called back.

Cynder and Ember wore amused smirks as they waited for the male. Once together, they all walked into the Great Halls. The black dragoness inhaled deeply, taking in the mouthwatering smell of fresh meat. There was currently a line of several dragons waiting to be served. "What are you going to get?" she asked Ember.

"I think I'm going to get some lamb," she replied. "What about you?"

"Lamb sounds good," Cynder said as they got in line. She faced her mate. "I'd ask you what you're going to get, but you'll probably getting the goat again." Ember nodded in agreement.

Spyro quirked a brow. "Am I really that predictable?"

"Yes," the two dragonesses answered in unison.

"It's not my fault the goat is delicious!" Spyro said, trying to defend himself.

Ember shrugged. "At least your mate is easy to please," she said to Cynder. "My Flame is always so picky about his meals! Just the other day I got him a slab of deer and he complained that he just had some for breakfast!"

Cynder scoffed. "Why are males always so whiny?"

"Hey!" the purple drake cried out in response. The two females simply ignored him.

"Ugh! I know!" Ember said exasperated. "I ended up just eating it right in front of him and he didn't get anything to eat for the rest of the night."

"I bet he complained all night too," Cynder said.

Ember shook her head. "He's not that stupid. He knows when he should shut up."

"Like any good male should," the black dragoness said, nodding in agreement.

Spyro just sighed, accepting that he wasn't going to get a word in. He nudged Cynder and pointed ahead. "The line's moving up. We're next."

Within the next few minutes, each of them received their dish and they found an unoccupied table to sit at. Cynder and Ember chatted idly while tearing strips of meat from their plates as Spyro chewed in silence, only adding to the conversation occasionally. The purple dragon continually glanced at the doorway throughout the meal.

Noticing this, Cynder asked, "So when is Sparx getting here with your parents? It shouldn't take too long to show them whatever he wanted to show them. Besides, he knows we're waiting here for them."

Spyro shrugged. "Sparx will get them here on time. He's not as irresponsible as you think."

As if on cue, a loud and annoying—in Cynder's opinion—voice drowned out the rest of the conversation. "And here's the Great Halls. Big ol' purple butt and the she-demon should be around here somewhe—ow! Ma, what was that for?"

The trio turned around to see a set of yellow, pink and blue glows by the entrance. "Don't you dare call that sweet dragoness a demon! We raised you better than that!" a feminine voice said.

"And you shouldn't be making fun of your brother like that either," a masculine one said.

Spyro rose from his seat, prompting Cynder and Ember to do so as well. He raised a golden wing in the air and shouted, "Mom! Dad! Sparx! Over here!"

Cynder stiffened as the three dragonflies immediately made their way over. "There you two are!" the pink dragonfly said as she got closer. She let out a sharp gasp upon seeing Ember. "Is this your friend? I'm sorry I didn't see you earlier. I'm Spyro and Sparx's mother, Nina."

"My name is Flash; I'm their father," the blue dragonfly said.

Ember bobbed her head. "My name is Ember."

"Will you be accompanying us on our tour of the city?" Nina asked her.

Spyro and Cynder looked at Ember, the same question in their minds. They hadn't asked her at all. The fire dragoness flashed them a brief smile before shaking her head. "No, I won't. I'm sorry, but I have plans to see my mate. I should get going now. It was nice meeting you two."

"Likewise," said Flash.

"I'll see you guys later," Ember said as she walked away.

"Bye, Ember!" Cynder called out. Spyro waved a paw goodbye at the pink dragoness.

Flash and Nina turned to the pair of dragons. "So," Nina said, "where were you going to show us first?"

"Hmm," Spyro said, giving it some thought. "I guess we can start with…"

"We're approaching the library right now," Spyro said to his mother.

"How many books are in there?" his father asked.

"My guess is that there are…over a thousand in there. There are dozens of shelves just stuffed with these huge books about all different kinds of subjects."

"Oh my!" Nina cried out. "And those things are twice our size!"

"Blech! Who cares about some dusty ol' tomes? I say we go grab something to eat!" Sparx said.

Nina glared at her son and placed her hands on her waist. "You just ate ten minutes ago. You keep eating anymore and soon you'll be twice the size of those books!"

The yellow dragonfly dismissed her with a wave of his hand. "I'm still growing! I need to eat regularly!"

"I'm sure you'll survive without food for a couple more hours, Sparx," Spyro said. "Besides, I want to show mom and dad the inside of the library. It looks amazing!"

"If it's anything like the rest of the city, we'll just be swept away by it!" replied Nina. "So what else can you tell us about the city in the meantime, dear?"

"Well…" Spyro began.

Cynder tuned out the rest of what her mate was saying and simply focused on following him and his family to the library. She stood quietly in the back and stared at her paws as they walked together. Her steps were uneven and her posture was rigid. She still felt as awkward as she had when they had first met up over an hour ago. She had hoped that she would get used to being in their presence, but nothing had changed.

The black dragoness let out a small sigh and glanced at the purple dragon's foster parents. They flew in the air right beside their son with smiles on their faces as the drake told them about the city. She made little effort to contribute to whatever they were talking about, letting Spyro do most of the talking. He was, after all, Flash and Nina's son. He was far more comfortable talking to them and therefore more suited to showing them around.

I should have gone with Ember. I'm not even doing anything here. Cynder thought to herself. A pang of guilt stabbed at her. She shook her head at the thought. But it wouldn't be fair to Spyro, his parents, or Flame and Ember if I did. I should be trying to make them feel welcome, but I still feel like such a stranger around them. Maybe talking to them will help instead of just praying that I'll finally be comfortable around them. I'll—

Her train of thought broke as she bumped into her mate. She blinked. Everyone was looking at her curiously. Feeling her cheeks burn, Cynder asked them, "W-why'd you all stop?"

Nina looked at her worried. "Spyro mentioned that you liked to go to the library and I was wondering what sort of books you enjoyed reading." The pink dragonfly hovered closer to her. She reached out. "Is something the matter? You haven't been speaking much and you've been staring at the ground for a while now."

Cynder took a step back in surprise. How long had Nina been watching her? "N-no!" she said unconvincingly. "Everything's fine!"

"Are you sure you aren't feeling sick or something, Cyn? If you need to, we can go to the infirmary—"

"No, Spyro. I'm okay," the black dragoness said again. She turned to Flash and Nina. "Besides, I wouldn't want to ruin your visit. Don't worry about me."

Nina huffed and folded her arms. Without looking back, she told Spyro, "Honey, why don't you go ahead to the library with your brother and father? I think Cynder and I should have a little talk."

"Actually, maybe you should go ahead with him. Sparx can show you and dad to the library. I can take care of—"

"Now," Nina said sternly.

Spyro shrunk at the tone of his mother's voice. "Yes, ma'am," he said quietly. He gave one last worried look to Cynder before leading the two other dragonflies to the library.

A feeling of unease surrounded Cynder as she watched them depart. She glanced at Nina who now had her arms folded. "There's nothing to worry about," Cynder tried saying again, diverting her gaze as she did so.

"Listen here, young lady," Nina said authoritatively. "I don't care if you saved the world, you will look me in the eye when I'm talking to you." Cynder uncharacteristically flinched at the dragonfly's words and hesitantly obeyed. Upon doing so, Nina demeanor softened. "Now tell me what's wrong."

"I…" Cynder began, trying to think of a believable excuse. One popped into her head. "I was talking with Ember earlier and I was telling her how sweet Spyro has been to me lately and how I wanted to repay him somehow. I was just thinking about some of the ways I could…"

The pink dragonfly glowered at Cynder. "I want the truth," she said bluntly.

Cynder's jaw dropped and she stared at her in disbelief. "How—"

"A mother knows these things," Nina said with a hint of satisfaction.

Cynder's cheeks flushed from being caught so easily in her lie. After another moment, she sighed and opted to tell the dragonfly the truth. "I don't feel like fit in," she said.

Visibly surprised with the dragoness's answer, Nina asked, "What do you mean?"

"I don't feel like I fit into your family. I feel like I'm an intruder, like I don't belong. I know you said I was part of your family when Spyro and I told you that we were mates, but I just…" Cynder shook her head sadly as her eyes began to glisten. "I've never had a family before and you guys were so welcoming that I just didn't know how to react, so I—"

The black dragoness stopped talking as Nina wrapped her arms around Cynder's muzzle. "It's okay. I understand. You don't need to say anymore."

Cynder stood there in shock as Nina silently comforted her. When the dragonfly let go, Cynder looked at her guiltily. "I'm sorry for how I've been acting."

"You don't have to apologize for anything," Nina said. "I should have noticed that you felt so uncomfortable sooner."

"If anything, I should have just told you from the beginning. I should have—"

"Ah!" Nina said, hushing Cynder. "I will not have my daughter blaming herself for something that was not her fault."

The black dragoness stared at her with wide eyes. "Your daughter..?" she repeated.

Nina smiled warmly and nodded. Tears began to escape from Cynder's eyes. "And I expect you to call me 'mom' from now on," she added.

For the first time since the tour began, Cynder smiled as tears rolled down her cheeks. "Of course, mom."

"Now let's get back to our boys."

By the time the two ladies made their way to the library, the only evidence from their prior conversation was Cynder's new positive attitude. They quickly found Spyro along with Sparx and Flash beyond the entrance and the black dragoness rushed up to her mate and shared a brief nuzzle with him.

Ignoring the sound of Sparx feigning a retching sound, a grinning Spyro asked her, "What was that for?"

"I'll tell you later," she said, glancing at Nina who was now admiring the interior of the library.

"There are so many books!" she exclaimed in a low voice. "I can barely see the walls!"

"Yeah, it's really—" Spyro began.

"And speaking of walls," Nina interrupted. "I've been meaning to ask. What were those claw marks in the stone by your bed in your room with Cynder?"

Both dragons looked away with reddened cheeks as they thought back to their many impassioned nights. After a moment, Cynder came up with an excuse. "You see, Spyro has these bad dreams every now and then, so he ends up marking the floors or the walls in his sleep."

Spyro nodded vigorously in agreement, but Nina shot them both a look. "I know you two are lying."

And here is the next chapter! Much much faster than I was expecting and shorter too. I decided to cut out some unnecessary stuff (though there's probably still some other unnecessary stuff), so it ended up being shorter. Another reason why this ended up being a faster update than those in the past is because I'm actually really eager to start a different story for Bittersweet Candy Bowl which I discovered recently. If anyone is interested in that, a summary will go up on my profile page under the In Progress section (even though it technically hasn't been started yet).

It also turns out that the cast is rather rude in this chapter. Lots of interruptions. I hope you all enjoyed this one, especially Guest who suggested the idea for this chapter. Like with the others, I'm not sure when the next one will be up, but it will be about Spyro's hatchday. After that, I intend to start writing the ending for this story. Until next time, then!