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[both_neither]

[Normally, when the castle wants to screw with him, it brings him back to his castle room. What he found on his kitchen table that morning, therefore, was a bigger surprise.]

What is this, an egg?

[He stopped to read the note tucked underneath it]

I'll have to admit, Paradisa, this is a new one...

[He sighed]

[Jennifer Keller]

We haven't met...I don't think...but I have something here that apparently belongs partly to you.

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[forsometimenow]

Don't tell me... it's an egg?

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[both_neither]

How'd you know?

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[forsometimenow]

And we're both to take care of it, no doubt.

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[both_neither]

That's what the note says. Not that I'm all that curious to find out what this egg really is.

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[forsometimenow]

We should meet somewhere and wait for it to hatch, then. It sounds inevitable. Maybe outside, in case it turns out to be something dangerous...

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[both_neither]

I guess that makes sense. How about the garden?

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[forsometimenow]

Be there in 5. I'm the lady with the blonde hair wearing a gray jacket with yellow bands on it.

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[both_neither]

I'll be the...guy with the giant egg. See you soon.

[And against his better judgment, he bundles the egg up in a pillowcase and heads that way.]

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[forsometimenow]

[Jennifer isn't waiting long before she spots her partner and gives him a small wave.]

What a beautiful day to start raising an animal, huh?

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[both_neither]

We'll be lucky if that's all it is.

[He set the egg down in the grass]

I'm Gren, by the way. Sorry we had to meet this way.

[The egg trembles]

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[forsometimenow]

I am, too. And you've already learned my name-

[She's cut off as she sees the egg begin to move.]

Well, I guess it's showtime now that we've met.

action forever

[both_neither]

If only it was just a puppet show. We might still have time to make a run for it, if you want...

[He smiled crookedly at the egg shook and cracked, tiny pieces of shell falling away into the grass and revealing a glimpse of green scales]

[forsometimenow]

[Jennifer fought the urge to back away, shaking her head.]

I'm sure if we tried, the egg would show up on one of our doorsteps. I guess it's best to just suck it up...

[She held her breath as the creature emerged further- a clawed foot, a tail...]

A dragon. Great.

[both_neither]

Do they have those where you come from?

[It was some kind of dragon, they both discovered, as the screeching creature broke out of the last of the shell at last. Sure, it had two wings, but only two legs and a tail that ended in a barbed stinger]

[forsometimenow]

Only in fantasy- in fiction. I'm at a loss as to how to care for a real one...

[She then examines the creature more closely.]

If that IS a dragon. It looks similar, but not quite... of course, it could just be another world's interpretation of a dragon...

[She stops and swallows, knowing she's blathering, before giving a nervous laugh.]

Well, this is going to be a fun week. At least it's not thrashing around yet.

[both_neither]

Your guess is as good as mine...

[The wyvern let out a soft screeching noise as it got it's feet under itself at last, and started to wobble towards the two of them]

[forsometimenow]

[Jennifer automatically starts backing off, but then stands her ground and actually kneels down to cautiously stroke the creature. It flaps its wings, startling her, but she smiles.]

... It's a little cute, actually.

[both_neither]

In a toothy kind of way, maybe. Are you sure that's a good idea?

[forsometimenow]

Not really. But maybe since it's a baby, it will be less inclined to bite. [She still withdraws pretty quickly despite what she says, however.]

But... now we need to think about where to keep it.

[both_neither]

I don't suppose 'out in the yard' is an option?

[The wyvern makes a squeaking noise and ambles over to Gren, who decides against making any sudden movements, especially when it starts to crawl all over his shoes]

[forsometimenow]

Hmmm- it's something to consider. Maybe we could build a pen or something. I'd be willing to watch over it as much as I can... and hope the castle doesn't keep forcing the three of us together.

[both_neither]

If it was going to do that, I think it would have just had us wake up in the same room together, and I've been through that once already. Thanks but no thanks...

[forsometimenow]

[Jennifer laughs.] Yeah, that's a common occurrence here. It's a good point, though- maybe our guest will be able to entertain himself if that's the case. I'm glad we're not glued to each other, though, since I have the feeling the clinic's about to get very busy.

[both_neither]

I'm guessing you work there?

[forsometimenow]

[She nods.]

And if we have a bunch of growly, scaly, biting babies running around the castle, that means a lot of patients... but I'll take my share of the responsibility as much as I can.

Dictated

[sugarwaffo]

An egg?? [Sugar's first thought is that Bunny has come back, so she excitedly adds.]

What kind of egg? Is it colorful?

dictated;

[both_neither]

[Gren glanced down at the open journal he hadn't noticed before]

No. It's just...enormous.

dictated;

[sugarwaffo]

[Oh. Sugar doesn't give up quite yet though, adding hopefully.]

Is it chocolate then?

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[both_neither]

Not on the outside. Something tells me it's not chocolate inside either.

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[sugarwaffo]

Oh. [What a let down.] What's it made out of then?

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[both_neither]

[He'd have preferred chocolate]

I'm not sure. Whatever real eggs are made out of...[There's a pause and he leans closer, running his hands over the outside of it] I think there's something moving in there...

dictated;

[sugarwaffo]

That means a bird must be in there!

[Right? Birds come from eggs. She knows that.]

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[both_neither]

It could be. I'm not sure how it got into my room.

dictated;

[sugarwaffo]

Maybe a bird flew in? Or a bunny!

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[both_neither]

[He chuckled]

Maybe this is what I get for betting on storks...

dictated;

[sugarwaffo]

Betting?

...Oh! You played the game with the pool! The guessing game!

dictated;

[both_neither]

That's right.

dictated;

[sugarwaffo]

I knew it! I'm playing too!

[...Yes, the little kid is betting. Best life choices.]

dictated;

[both_neither]

[Clearly]

What did you bet on?

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[sugarwaffo]

Waffos!

[Like that explains so much.]

dictated;

[both_neither]

...waffles?

dictated;

[sugarwaffo]

Uh huh! And a pool full of fruit!

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[both_neither]

[She was creative. He had to give her that.]

Not very likely, but interesting.

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[sugarwaffo]

How can you tell if it's likely? Paradisa could do it.

dictated;

[both_neither]

You have a point there.

dictated;

[sugarwaffo]

Of course!