"Oh, there she goes again," Pyrona said to Ignis with a smile.
Little Tourmaline sat in her feeding area, carefully blowing fire onto her food. Such a strange feeding habit, but ever since her dragon flame developed, she had been roasting her meat and vegetables before eating. Neither parent could guess where she had picked up the practice, but they saw nothing harmful in it.
"She is a true royal dragon," Ignis declared. "All our ancestors had their particularities. Remember your Aunt Vulcara and her pets? Besides, it is not unusual for a dragon to eat her meat a little charred."
This explanation satisfied both parents, so they let it be.
-------------------
"Still needs spices, and some tenderizing," the small voice of Prince Jasper grumbled in Tourmaline's mind as she daintily devoured her food. "Oh, and perhaps a good marinade."
Tourmaline giggled. Her past self may have fine tastes, but he was no cook. He demanded things as it suited him, but he left the real work to Tourmaline. Still, it was not so bad. She was curious about these fanciful, exotic dishes he recalled, and she was determined to try them one day.
Meanwhile, Jasper had certainly calmed down over the last few months. In the beginning, he had griped endlessly about losing his precious manhood and voicing disdain for all things feminine. It puzzled the little dragonling, but she figured it was probably a human thing.
However, over time, the voice began to quiet down, especially at times when Tourmaline interacted with her loving parents and sister. The prince seemed confused and a bit sad, noting that he was raised by servants and tutors, almost entirely devoid of familial affection.
Even his concubines, who spoke often of love, were much more interested in his title than in him. They were mere tools of their noble families who had sent them hoping their daughters might influence him from the bedroom or, one day, even the queen's throne. Really, it was more business than love.
Such was the life of royalty. But Pyrona and Ignis were also royalty, weren't they? Yet that did not impede their love in any way. Tourmaline was indeed very lucky. In this, both prince and dragonling found their first point of complete agreement.
"Jasper, cheer up," Tourmaline said to the voice. "At least, meat is done just right." It had taken a bit of practice to cook the meat to the perfect doneness, not too burnt, not too rare. She finished the last bite with great satisfaction.
"Fine, but we really must obtain some salt, at least," Jasper said. "And call me Prince Jasper, for that is what I am. On the same note, you ought to be called Princess Tourmaline."
Tourmaline still had no clue why Jasper made such a fuss over this, so as usual, she simply ignored it. Going over to her pile of toys, she selected a few roughly carved pieces of wood that resembled dragons. Different berry juices had been used to dye them different colors. "Jasper, play with me."
She felt rather than heard the answering sigh. "I am a prince. Such children's games are-"
"Pleeeeease? Sister is out practicing hunting, and Jasper does boy voices so good."
Another sigh. "Very well. Are we doing princess at the dragon ball again?"
"Nope. Jasper will be brave dragon saving princess from humans." Tourmaline brought out a few tied reed bundles that stood vertically to represent humans.
Thus, the little dragonling played her game seemingly by herself. Had anyone been watching closely, they might have found it odd how she only gave voices to some characters while responding to unheard dialogue. Then again, children had all kinds of odd notions, right? It would fade in time, surely.