sub]in collaboration with [@Meiyuki][/sub]




[h1][center][i][u]"Laying Eggs"[/u][/i][/center][/h1]




It had been one of the longest, most maddening days of Saen's life. Apparently, rats had gotten into the castle pantry, and it had fallen to her to solve the problem. Most of the day had been spent trying to figure out some sort of ward to keep them out, and the rest was devoted to repairing the hole in the masonry the obnoxious little rodents had used. There hadn't even been enough good meat on the things to make them worth hunting!




Now, as the afternoon light was dying, she was basking in what rays she could in the castle garden, relieved to be out of the cold, wet depths of the castle.




[color=0072bc]"Saen,  looking lovely this evening."[/color]  Alyssa's cheerful voice sounded as she rounded the corner and stepped into the garden.  She wore a look of forced cheer over a deep and pervasive weariness.  [color=0072bc]"What have you been up to?"[/color]




"Rats. Scurrying around the pantry and Medusa told me to ward them out." A shiver of exhaustion struck her. "It feels like my scales are starting to rot from all the dampness down there." She caught a glance of Alyssa's worn-out features. "You look like I feel. What happened to you?"




Alyssa wondered at the irony of sending a lamia to deal with a rat infestation.  It was amusing to imagine Saen pouncing on wayward rodents,  but obviously the woman didn't enjoy the task,  so she kept her thoughts to herself.  [color=0072bc]"What a compliment to pay a lady!"[/color]  She laughed.




[color=0072bc]"My attempts to aquire either a child or my sister's attentions have gone awry."[/color]  Taking a seat on one of the benches overlooking the flowers of the garden she sighed.  [color=0072bc]"But at least we won't need to worry about facing each other on the battlefield you and I.  If Sousiel's to be trusted anyway."[/color]




"I've heard the same. Probably the best for me, my magic is of little use in a war." Saen's nose wrinkled as she smiled. "I can understand Lorelai being infatuated with her new little girl, but a child? Why don't you do what the fae do and just kidnap one? Doesn't take near as long... though I'll admit, it takes all the fun out of the process, too."




[color=0072bc]"I could just kidnap one,"[/color]  Alyssa sighed,  rubbing her temples.  [color=0072bc]"But my bloodline is dying,  and I need a daughter with the gift if the Von'Strausses are ever to regain any of their old glory."[/color]




[color=0072bc]"I'm not as black-souled as my sister,  I can't just taint someone with the Tongue."[/color]  She laughed wryly.  [color=0072bc]"Which leaves me with the traditional method."[/color]




She turned to Saen,  head tillted in curiousity.  [color=0072bc]"Excuse me if this is entirely too personal,  but... how do you... reproduce?"[/color]




"Tainting someone? I've never heard of such a process." Saen's eyebrows crawled up to her hairline at the last question. "The same way as you do, though we do not necessarily need a man. So I could give you the daughter you seek with no issue, but to have her innately understand the Dragon's Tongue, well... it seems to me you do not have the parts needed. Unless, of course, you're hiding something unexpected under your clothes."




[color=0072bc]"It's a vile process,  frowned on by even the most debached of my clan."[/color]  Alyssa explained,  mostly to buy time as she considered Saen's offer.  [color=0072bc]"It... it actually involves... um... growing a male appendage."[/color]




[color=0072bc]"Speaking of male appendages..."[/color]  Alyssa shifted uncomfortably,  her cheeks coloring brightly.  [color=0072bc]"Uh... there's a... [sub]ritual for that[/sub]."  by the end of her sentance her voice was but a shy whisper.




"My mother claimed there was a ritual for just about everything, but I never expected there was one for that." Saen gave Alyssa a look. "You say you wish to preserve your traditions? Well, I wish to preserve mine as well. If we are to do this, we shall do it in the way of my people. She will be raised as a lamia and a human both. Those are my terms."




[color=0072bc]"You've little to worry about there,  Von'Strauss aren't raised as humans."[/color]  Alyssa blinked several times.  Was Saen really willing to have a child with her,  just like that?  Was she really going to go through with it>  [color=0072bc]"Wait... you're serious?  You'd do this?"[/color]




"Truth be told, I'm in a similar situation to you. There aren't as many lamia as you'd think, and most of us live thousands of miles away. Our children would only be half-bloods, but there is very little stigma attached to the term among us, and every species wishes to spread." Saen slithered over to a fallen oak branch and began plucking off leaves. "First, though, I must make my nest. Would you mind helping? This is as much your child as mine, after all."




Alyssa paused for a moment,  her mind still reeling,  before standing to join Saen at the task.  [color=0072bc]"A lamia demon-binder..."[/color]  Her face bloomed into a smile.  [color=0072bc]"I... I never thought I'd have to perfect a ritual to grow a member."[/color]




She laughed warmly.  [color=0072bc]"I also never thought my daughter would be a lamia,  or need a nest,  or..."[/color]  She fell silent,  her eyes on the small pile of leaves she was adding to.  [color=0072bc]"Thanks Saen."[/color]




"It's no problem, truly. And yes, they do need a nest. The leaves keep the eggs protected from the elements, and as they rot, they give off heat to keep them warm. I can lay them almost immediately, but they'll still need a week before they're ready to hatch." A few more leaves, and the pile was about two feet high. "That should do quite nicely. Now, about this ritual..."