Mama Angel was crying and Papa Pyr doing his best to make her feel good, so she will not cry anymore. Papa was right, Papa Pyr was a good man.
Kayla looked at the big building behind them. There were animal-shaped balloons, a big something where her name was written…and children. There were many children.
She had never seen children that many. When Papa died, Mama had to move them from their village. Kayla knew something was wrong, but she kept quiet. Her Papa was always there to protect them…until he died.
Kayla was afraid. She was different from the other children. She was like her papa. Her mama told her not to be afraid, Diana would never harm her. She was there to protect Kayla.
"But mama, I have you and papa! Why do I need her?!" she shouted at her mama and papa.
Her papa hugged her and said, "I will not live forever, Kayla. You need her to protect you and your mama."
"NO! You and mama will never leave me!"
Diana whimpered. Remembering the way their bond was suddenly cut off. Her mama was not like them, but deep inside, they knew that she was gone.
Her new Papa must have known that she was sad because he kissed her forehead. She tightened her arms around him, as she whimpered.
"It's okay, little one, you're safe," he said.
"Kayla?" it was her Mama Angel. She looked small standing beside Papa Pry. Her new Mama might look small, but she was powerful.
"Mama?" she whispered.
"Wanna trade, Pyr?" Mama Angel asked.
"No, you hold on Cole. Me and Kayla are good. Right, princess?" Papa Pyr called her 'princess'. Her papa told her that she looked like one, and his friend Pyr would be calling her that someday. Her papa's words were like magic!
Kayla gave him a shy nod, but her gaze was behind them. She could see that the kids were having fun. They were laughing, and running around the place.
She wanted to do that. Run. Laugh. Just be a kid. But her mama told her she should always be careful. If people find out about her, they will take her away from her mama.
"Come on, babe. Let's go inside. I want the three of you settled at home so you can sleep better tonight," her Papa Pyr said.
Her Papa Pyr must have said something because Mama Angel had the same face when her Mama was mad. She could see that her Mama Angel was going to say something but Papa Pyr slung his arm across the back of her shoulder, and they walked to the big building in front.
Kayla could see Uncle Ven at the entrance of the place. He was grinning like he found something funny.
"Tangina mo, Ven. Fast food palang kinakain ko, may hawak akong bata dito. Wag mo ako simulan," Kayla heard her Papa Pyr shout at Uncle Ven using a language she doesn't know.
[Ven, you SOB, don't f***ing start with me. I only ate some fast food. I'm holding a kid here, so don't f***ing think about it.]
"Gago! Doon tayo sa likod mamaya! Tangina, asa gate ka palang abot dito init ng ulo mo. Ang tanong, anong ulo ang mainit sayo? Yung asa taas or asa baba?" Ven shouted back.
[Asshole! Let's meet later. Stupid f**ker, I can feel your anger from the gate till here. The question is, is that anger out of real anger or anger out of frustration?]
"Tangina mo, talaga, Ven! Nag hahanap ka talaga sakit sa katawan?"
[Ven! You stinking asshole! You itching for a f***ing fight?]
"Ulul! Wag mo ako damay dayn! Kayo mag rumble, puta naka ngiti lang ako dito ako pag iinitan mo!"
[Dick head! Don't include me in your shit-ass moods. I'm just smiling here!]
"Adik!"
[Asshole!]
"Mura pa, Pyr. Wala kang hawak na bata, noh?" Her Mama Angel suddenly said, talking in the same language Papa Pyr had used.
[Really, Pyr? Swearing? Wanna teach her to swear like a sailor? Or have you forgotten you're holding a child?]
"Puta, sorry naman," her Papa Pyr sounded apologetic and even looked guilty.
[Sh*t, I'm sorry.]
"Don't me, Pyr," was all her Mama Angel said.
Kayla did not know what they were talking about, and she was fine with it. She put her head on Papa Pyr's shoulder and took in his scent.
〜(꒪꒳꒪)〜〜(꒪꒳꒪)〜〜(꒪꒳꒪)〜〜(꒪꒳꒪)〜
In another plane two beings regarded each other.
A western dragonling with black scales that glimmer in the night and an eastern dragon whose scales radiate like that sun, causing the whole plane to have an ethereal glow. Another being was watching but they were not sure what it was.
The black little dragon slowly walked toward Jin. She stumbled several times before reaching his side. Once there she slumped on his side and rubbed her little body marking him as his own.
Jin let out a low grumble of acknowledgment. He had already accepted her when she became his godchild, now she was to be his child.
Cole, whose dragon has yet to be seen, was quietly sleeping in the nest he had provided. Jin nudged Diana to where her brother was so she too could sleep. When Jin was sure the two kids were comfortable, he faced the being that was in the shadow of the plane.
'You, who hovers at the foreshadows of my realm, what do you seek?'
'I seek nothing but the safety of the children. My mistress knows not I existed in her.'
Jin looked at the shapeless being that had a soft yet commanding feminine voice. He could not feel anger or envy. It was more on the side of protectiveness. It was like a mother that wanted to look after her younglings.
'Mate?'
The sultry laugh it gave made Jin's heartbeat erotically, but before he could say something witty, she vanished. It was like she was never in his realm.
Jin sighed and curled around his younglings. Telling Pyr about her would only make his other half pissed at him. I will tell him when I know who she is. He decided there was no point for Pyr to be worried.
With those last thoughts, Jin slept, curled around the children. Protecting them, just like how a dragon protects its hoard.
〜(꒪꒳꒪)〜〜(꒪꒳꒪)〜〜(꒪꒳꒪)〜〜(꒪꒳꒪)〜
Kayla rubbed her nose against Papa Pyr's neck. He kinda smells like Papa, but different. Something inside Kayla purred in content. Their father might be gone, but there was another male, taking them in. As they walked inside the big building, both being known, they finally have a new home.