Back in his lair, Spark woke up. What had got him torn from his deep sleep had been a quiet but very insistent scratching noise. He quickly understood what was the cause of this. The egg! It was hatching! It was wobbling and delicately forming a web-like tiny crack on its side. He was going to become a father! Right now! What a great occurrence! But... But where was the mother? He went around, sniffing the air. She had been there but was now gone. Completely gone. How come he'd not heard her leave? Strange. But she was gone and Spark got worried. And angry. This was not the time! He couldn't leave and abandon the egg. Finding his mate would have to wait. But he did not understand. Why leave? He was a good mate and would be a great sire! So why? He had proved he was attentive and sweet and responsible. Well, maybe he had not seen she was afraid and nervous. New mates and mothers could be that way. He'd look after the egg, which was the current priority, and he'd look for his new mate afterwards.
The hatchling was asleep, exhausted from breaking through its egg. What was more, Spark had made sure it was warm and restricted to a tiny space. The baby was a very pretty female. Surely his mate would return upon hearing of such a little darling! It had bowls of minced meat and milk. He wouldn't be gone too long. His sense of smell was excellent. He left deftly, vowing to return fast. And he found his mate quickly, though he was quite surprised at the sight of a human woman. But it was her, undoubtedly. The same smell. Well, he'd have to be more thorough this time. She was confused and doing unreasonable things. She was sleeping so he cast a spell to change her back and then revert her to a more regressed stage. He made sure her memories were erased and could be raised right. He picked her up and left. Now he was a single father. Great... It was for the best but still... He then thought of the nice male dragon who was always nice to him and clearly enraptured with him. Well, maybe he could act as a decent mate, after all...