2024-07-17 - [7.4] She had her pride too

Xijemynth can sympathize, to a certain degree. She had her pride, too – the desire to bend and break to no dragon. To fight, win, live on her own terms. But, as she turned Ertineth’s thoughts over in her mind, she found herself struck with the thought that pride was supposed to leave you happier, not like… well, not like how Ertineth was feeling.

Why can’t you change? She asked, knowing full well the brown couldn’t hear her. What was stopping him? If it was his rider, then she suggested he find a better one, or ask Hy’n why they were so comfortable dismissing Ertineth’s dream. How would they like it if Ertineth decided to return the favor?

There’s no reason why you can’t have what you want, Xijemynth added, her egg shaking cautiously. Ertineth might not be Gold, but they could still father eggs, and judging from their feelings they would instantly make for a better sire than Yuakajth. And she was sure that any of the Golds would welcome even the slightest chance to get away from their clutches, if Mother’s temperament was anything to go off of. (And at this point Xijemynth couldn’t even find the strength to argue with that sentiment. Being cooped up in this egg was starting to get annoying)

The one thing she found odd was his insistence that he was nothing special. Of course he was! Understanding of the matter of color had continued to elude her, no matter how much exposure she got. It just didn’t make any sense. Why was one color better than any other? What was it about being brown that distressed Ertineth so? Unless they were like Mother or the other golds, weren’t they all just stuck in the middle? Did it matter so much that he didn't have others to rule over? And what would he gain from that but more problems nipping at his heels? Xjemynth snorted at that thought. All other concerns aside, she had nothing to offer him on that front. Perhaps that was the true root of his issue - that he was busy seeking approval from others and not putting that effort towards living a life that would actually make him happy.