Page 7 of Grumpy Dragon Christmas

She links arms with me, and together with Frank, we start walking down the street.

“Drekkan’s been busy again,” Frank says in a surprisingly deep voice.

“Drekkan?”

“Our resident Sarkarnii, or not, as he prefers,” Frank says with a sigh. “You know Sarkarnii, don’t you? Are they all so grouchy?”

“I did, but I can’t speak for all of them. Mine were locked up in a prison maze for a long time. I doubt they’re usual examples.”

“A prison maze!” Racil gasps. “Those Sarkarnii! Always up to something!”

“Drekkan’s done it this time,” Frank says, although he doesn’t sound bothered in the slightest about the fire raging in the buildings we can see down the hill. “The mayor isn’t going to be amused.”

“What do you mean, ‘this time’?” I query.

“Oh Drekkan’s always up to mischief. We like him to think he’s getting away with it,” Racil says cheerfully as we take a left.

“Why?”

“Like Frank says, he can be a bit grumpy, and we like the inhabitants of Kitchik to be happy.”

“So, you let him blow stuff up, so he’shappy?” I say, stunned.

“He doesn’t always set things on fire. Mostly he steals or gets Qrow to steal things. Sometimes he pays for them, and usually he pays far more than things are worth, so it balances itself out,” Frank says. “In fact, he’s not done an explosion for…how long?”

He leans around me to look at Racil.

“At least three rotations. But then, I don’t think he’s been able to get the explosives for the last two, has he?” Racil replies, as if she’s discussing where Drekkan the Sarkarnii goes to get his groceries.

“That’s true. Qrow got him some around this time last year, didn’t he?” Frank says with a smile. “For the Solstice celebration.”

“Drekkan hates the solstice celebration.” Racil laughs. “That’s why Qrow gave him the present.”

The pair of them chuckle heartily.

“Here you go, Jade, my dear.” Racil pats my arm and nods past me.

I’m back at my egg apartment. So lost in the conversation, I didn’t even notice we arrived.

“Thank you.” I give her a smile. “I couldn’t have found it on my own.”

“You’ll get your bearings soon,” Racil says with a happy, rodenty smile.

“This place isn’t going to be big enough,” Frank says, his brow furrowed.

“It’s fine. It’ll be fine,” I say, starting up the steps.

“Not with a youngling on the way,” Frank says and I freeze.

“How do you know?”

“We didn’t.” Racil has her hands clasped together, her beady eyes shining with delight. “We could scent something but you confirmed it. A youngling! How exciting!” She turns me towards her, checking me up and down before placing her hand on my belly.

I’m only just showing enough it’s hard to hide anymore without a lot of clothing.

“Maybe for you,” I mutter. “I don’t need anywhere bigger. This place is okay,” I say out loud.

Frank and Racil look at each other. “If you say so. But if you want somewhere bigger, just let us know.”

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