^^ Arthur Magnus Aurelius (current) ^^

--- Raymond ---

I gazed upwards slowly, humming at the sight of a Giant in my doorway, blocking Diana and Tiana, (Maximus's cuddle friend, but he left, so now she cuddled with me, and it was even better than one cuddle friend,) from leaving.

She glared at the women, until her nostrils glared, scenting the room for something, and then she seemed confused. "What are you doing in here?" She asked slowly.

"Trying to get to the bathroom." I muttered, and squeezed past her. "And stop terrorizing my friends!" I snapped at her as I closed the bathroom door.

"We're Haven's girls, sent to help Raymond sleep?" Diana explained.

I washed my hands thoroughly, one of the few human hygiene practices other than a hot shower that I enjoyed, and then opened the door, squeezing past again.

She hummed and sniffed again. "Well... I don't smell anything off, but remember that he's only 6, you can't wear lingerie in bed with him, it's not healthy for a young mind to be so overloaded with different emotions." She lectured them.

I sighed. "You leave them alone! Who said it was your place to make decisions for me?!? Shoo!" I flapped my hands at her like she was an errant pigeon.

She raised an eyebrow slowly, and smirked. "Your sister is my wife."

"Yes and that makes you my sister in law, good for you, you know basic law, but that doesn't make you my mother, and that doesn't give you any authority over me! Now SHOO!" I barked, baring my sharpened teeth.

She raised her other eyebrow slowly. "You're very puny, to be ordering me about."

I shifted swiftly, and roared a full-blown Draconic roar in her face, knocking her on her butt with the air, and covering the women with my wings "Who's PUNY now, Giant?" I snarled.

She narrowed her eyes. "Shift back so I know which part of you is an Ass I can beat."

"WHAT THE HELL DO YOU THINK YOU'RE DOING?" Amira stomped into the living room, where my head currently was.

I snorted. "Your mate thinks she has a right to tell me whether or not I can have Cuddle Buddies and to decide to get Cocky with a being that could eat her in his sleep! 6 years old or no, I am a DRAKON, and I will not tolerate disrespect!"

I checked the women for injuries, and then retracted my neck, allowing them to leave after I was finished.

They kissed my nose and left swiftly, waving to Amira as they quickly left the battle-zone.

Amira hissed gently. "Little brother... do not ever snap at my Mate again... and Mary... he's not your son. He's not even my son. He is only ours to Feed for the next seven days, because his older brother had a job to do. And please... Do not make the mistake of ordering a Drakon about in his home territory ever again, lover."

I shifted human, and slammed my door, dressing slowly, and then stepped out and sat on my stool in the kitchen, ignoring the Giantess.

She stood, straightening her clothes, and grumbled as she banged around in the kitchen, getting breakfast ready.

Amira sighed and hugged her from behind, fondling her hips, and Mary gasped when her hands slipped around. "There is a child in attendance!" She snapped softly.

"Hmph. Fine... but prepare to be very late to work." She muttered, and spanked the larger woman.

"Don't stop on my account, I want little minions as much as the next kid. Go forth, conquer your wife, give me my army!" I shrugged.

Amira blinked at me. "While you're adorable... you realize we can't have children... right? We're both women."

"So were papa and mama, and here we are." I shrugged.

She blinked slowly. "Father is male, Brother-"

"When he wants to be." I interrupted easily.

She blinked again. "Oh... I didn't think... hmm..." she grinned lewdly, and kneaded her mate's ass. "🎵I know what we're doing tonight🎵..." she said in a song-like voice.

I smirked and hummed when Mary blushed. "What's that? I've seen it on Daisy, and it's adorable on her, but what's it mean?" I asked.

"A Blush? It's when the blood rushes to your face, usually when you're embarrassed, angry, or aroused." Amira said simply.

"Ami! You can't say that! He's only... wait... did he just tell you how he was conceived?" She blinked in confusion.

"Yes. Mother liked to regale Me, (and Maximus,) with her stories of dominating father in the sack when I was there. She likely hasn't stopped. I'm sure he knows quite a bit of details pertaining to Draconic Mating." Amira said blandly.

I shrugged at Mary's incredulous stare. "She was very descriptive. Eloquent, even."

Amira snorted. "Indeed. That woman... ah, I suppose I shouldn't badmouth mother in front of you... anyway, yes, this girl blushed because she's embarrassed, or simply happy. Take it as a success when that happens."

I nodded and Mary started placing the steaks on my plate, all Rare, like I liked them. They disappeared as they landed on my plate, and she found this massively amusing, almost racing me to see if she could get two steaks on the plate before one was gone. She'd obviously gotten over my earlier escapades, because she was enjoying herself massively.

As I finished the last one, and she cooked Amira's, the phone on the table rang, and I hummed, picking it up and pressing the green button. Amira snatched it and answered swiftly. "Hello? This is the Aurelius Territory, Amira Speaking?"

"Uhm, hello, is Maximus home? My name is Lilly Dourest, Raymond's Escort?"

"Ahhh, yes, I remember you. No, Maximus is at work for the next week, so my wife and I are looking after my brother. What's this about?"

"Well, tomorrow, this Friday, is Parent's day, at the school, as you're aware, Mrs. Avian, and all Lumina are required to bring their surviving parentage... would you be willing to help Raymond get in contact with them?"

I hummed. "They'll be in dragon form." I answered slowly.

"I can get them here, most likely, but they do not shift into mortal forms, which might cause some problems... surely there's an exception for Lumina who are halfway around the planet?" Amira asked.

"I'm sorry, there is not. I'm well aware that you can open portals. They will attend, and be in human form, to inspect their son's learning environment. Now, I'll be arriving to take Raymond to school shortly, so I hope you have a way of contacting them and informing them of their responsibilities." She then hung up.

I blinked slowly. "Miss Lilly can be a badass when she wants to be... interesting."

Amira smacked my head, thinking about something else. "Hmm... how best to contact father and mother..."

"I can handle this." I shrugged, and dialed the number of one of the main humans on the Island, who had taught me about electronics.

He answered on the second ring, speaking Russian. "Who calls Pietro?"

"Pietro, it is Raymond Aurelius! I need you to get me in contact with Mama and Papa."

He hummed. "They are in their cave, trying to make new son."

"Interrupt, they can do that later." I shrugged carelessly.

"Have you ever tried interrupting the mating of two DRAKONS?!?! Boy, I love you as a brother, but I will not die for you this way." He grumbled.

"Then just put me on speaker and toss the phone into the cave, coward!!!" I snapped.

He grumbled some more, but I could hear him walking. "Coward... hmph. I'm not a coward! I'm just smart, and I like living. Interrupting the King and Queen of Drakons while they're fucking is just suicide!!! Uuuugh why did I accept this gig? Tutor to princes, they said! Good food, they said! Sexy slaves, they said!"

"I can still hear you, Pietro."

"... hmph."

I heard the unmistakable sounds of two Drakons mate-wrestling, and he gulped, tossing the phone into the cave.

I cleared my throat and then simply yelped.

All sound halted. "Raymond?!? Son!!! Are you hurt?!? Where are you, Child!!!" Mama immediately began searching for me.

"Boy! ANSWER!" Papa roared.

"I'm not actually there, I'm talking on a communication device! Small and probably silver. It should smell like Pietro." I explained.

They grumbled but sniffed the room until they found it. "Ah, I've found it! Pietro, how do I see him? I think phones do that now, yes?" Mama chuckled.

He sighed and slowly entered the cave, picking up the phone and activated the feature for Face-Time.

I grinned at the sight of one terrified man with white hair and two Drakons looming over his shoulder.

I waved, and chuckled. "Allo!!!" I turned the camera to include Amira and Mary. "And look! Amira and her wife/Mate! Maximus is out hunting Demonborn, so he's not here."

They huffed almost in unison. "All the fun without us, hm? Hello, daughter mine, and daughter-in-law... you are very beautiful, for a Giant. I approve." Papa nodded.

"Beautiful?!?! You DARE compliment another woman!!?!?" Mama snarled, and I giggled as she tackled him, biting his skull gently in punishment for his imagined infidelity.

Mary looked like she would faint, which was not a good look on her, I must say.

Pietro glared at me, crouching in the middle of the cave. "I would hate you if you weren't so adorable. Now stop them before I die here."

I sighed and then Roared, getting their attention. "Mama! I need you and Papa to come to New York!" I said simply.

They hummed, immediately distracted. "Oh?!? Been a while since we raided that far west... will the Aboriginal Drakons be very angry, do you think, darling?" Papa hummed.

Mama snorted. "As if that matters. We shall feast on their bones for their slights against our spawn!"

"Mama, no!!! No feasting, no slights, I just need you to attend an Event in human form! It's mandatory for all Lumina to bring their Parents, so you can make sure you like my school and teachers!" I growled in annoyance.

She halted her tirade, and hummed. "Event?!? Ooh, a BALL!??!?!!!!! Oh GODS it's been so long since I went to a proper Party!!! ARTHUR! We're going to an Event! Find us Human clothes and pleasant forms to fit us!" She snapped.

I sighed and nodded. "Fine, yes, there will be a party as well... I'll make it happen."

"Mother, just come in Business Casual, I'm sure Pietro knows what that means." Amira said.

They nodded. "Then We will meet you tomorrow... around what time?" Mama asked.

"Around 7:00 in the morning, Eastern American Time." Amira nodded.

"Good! We will attend! And I must say your wife is quite fetching! Hello, dear, I'm your Mother in law!!! I'm not so scary as she's told you, I assure you! I look forward to meeting you!!!" Mama giggled softly, and then tackled her Mate again, affectionately biting his spine.

I turned off face-time quickly. "Well... shit." I thunked my head to the table.

Amira didn't even have the energy to hit me. "I agree..."

Then the doorbell rang.

---

"So what you're saying, in essence, is that your mother believes there's a Formal Ball held here on Saturday... and that tomorrow is the... what?" Miss Lilly rubbed her forehead slowly.

"The Teaser... it's a sort of Mixer, where you meet all the Guests from the Ball, but you don't have to dance with them or wear formal clothes." I said simply.

She sighed again.

I poked her cheek gently. "Sighing is bad for your cheeks and throat. It's how old ladies get turkey chins. You mustn't do that. You're very pretty, and you must stay that way." I said firmly.

She chuckled and patted my head. "You're sweet... now I have to figure out a Ball... darn..."

"I'm sure Maximus's new girlfriend can help. She works at the NTF." I said simply.

She hummed. "It's possible they would help. The school is directly involved with them, after all, and this is something of an emergency... and the Courtyard. How to decorate it in so little time?"

"Make the children assist. Say it's Extra Credit." I smirked.

She laughed. "Oh you're adorably evil... I like that idea. Alright." She pulled out her phone and started texting, and I curled up in her lab slowly, tired from all the talking and yelling and negotiating.

When we arrived at school, I pulled out Maximus's phone, and called his job.

"Agent Aurelius, we were informed you were on Radio Silence, do you need an emergency Med-evac?"

"Uhhhhm... this is Raymond? I need to talk to Melodious? My Mama and Papa are coming, and... we may need another Drakon as a Mediator." I said clearly.

"... I'm correct in assuming you are Raymond Aurelius?"

"I am."

"One moment, honey... Doc! Oi! Doc! Wake up! You've got a call from a baby Drakon! Says his folks are coming to New York, and it may cause problems? Says he needs you as a negotiator or sonethin'!"

"Is it Raymond? Interesting. So Arthur and Tamra are coming, eh? Very interesting... give me the- yes, that- dammit you infernal woman stop taking my alcohol! It is imperative!!"

"You're a drunken Drakon who's also a doctor. You'll keep without some liquor." The woman said affectionately, and I could hear her kissing his cheek, then skipping away from his hands when he reached for the alcohol.

" I beg your pardon?!?!? For your information, I am a Shinto Alcohol Deity you brat!" He snapped, growling.

"Yeah yeah old man, I believe you. Now take the call." She chuckled, amused.

I snorted. "Your human has you on a short leash, Melodious."

"Hmph. Insufferable youngster. Now, Arthur and Tamra are coming, you say?"

"Yes. They think that there's a Ball on Saturday, and wouldn't be convinced otherwise, and Mama is especially happy about it, so I figure you'd get Maximus's Mate and help me set one up, instead of trying to explain to the Royal Dragoness, -that's wanted to attend a fun party for about thirty years,- that there's actually no party." I said dryly.

He chuckled. "Indeed. I will do so. We'll need all the help we can get, though."

"And you'll have it." I nodded.

---

As school let out, I gathered all the culinary students, and then Chef Monroe, and informed them of the situation.

Chef Monroe grinned slowly. "Alright... extra credits to the group that makes me, by tomorrow night, a selection of appetizers and entree's that would sate any palate, from vegan Fae to Carnivorous Dragon. Begin."

The group's of students scampered off, and I set to work with Chef Monroe as my Su Chef. He refused to do the main work for me, but he would assist, so that was good.

I decided to create something that was simple, but tasty, so I picked up an entire pork shoulder, (without the bone,) and set it on my counter.

I gave the entire slab a dry rub, simple spices and some salt, and then set about cutting the inside, without touching the outside layer. Once it was nicely shredded on the inside, I made my Spice Mix.

I used a liquid meat sauce as a base, and then added Mojo, a Cuban spice, as well as roasted cayenne and some honey to take the edge off, and mixed them into a thin liquid, pouring that into the shredded inside.

With Spice inside and outside, it was ready for roasting. I slipped it into the oven, and then breathed deep red flames under it to heat it instantly, instead of pre-heating, then closed the door and checked the temperature.

'350, perfect, let that roast for a little while...' I nodded, and began the rest of the dish.

As an Appetizer, simple pork wasn't enough, no matter how tasty, so I began carefully crafting lettuce-wraps/taquito's.

As my family was Turkish and Russian, I was sure they wouldn't really understand the reference, but that didn't mean no one would. The meat, plus a baked bean addition, and the lettuce faux-tortilla's, would create a pleasing texture and taste, and would ultimately be a very eatable dish. Plus, being sealed on both ends would make them finger-foods, which was perfect for a party with almost no silverware.

I made enough for 200, thinking about serving them tomorrow, as a sort of Trial Run. Monroe, realizing I was good on my own, wandered off to assist the others.

---

"Very good... presentation is simple, but elegant, aroma is sweet, and spicy, a strong scent that won't be ignored among other scents..." Monroe hummed and picked up one of my wraps, and bit into it, with Miss Lilly, (who'd been roped into judging against her will,) next to him.

She bit into one are well, and blinked. "Whoa! That's amazing! It's so simple, but Gods that meat is so tasty! Am I actually allowed to eat all of these?" She whispered aside.

Chef Monroe chuckled and slid the plate over. "You may. And I agree. The meat is well spiced, and hot, but pairs well with the sweet baked beans... simple, easy to prepare, but delectable... perfect for an Appetizer at a party where you'll have to make thousands of them. A-, I say. The beans weren't paid much attention to, and I saw you take them out of a can..." he raised an eyebrow.

I grinned and scuffed a boot gently. "Maybe." I didn't admit it fully.

"Hmph. Well, you need to make the beans fresh tomorrow, as well as the pork. I'll overnight order lots of Pork Shoulders... and next?" He looked at the next group.

They set a plate of thin breadsticks down, which appeared to be pretzels, but soft, and with meat and cheese inside.

Monroe gazed at them slowly, then looked up. "You made Pizza in a Breadstick." He said, deadpan.

The leader gulped, then nodded. "Well, you know, for a party, finger food is best-"

"Pizza. In. A. Breadstick." Monroe repeated slowly, and pushed the plate towards Miss Lilly as he spoke. "F. Fail. Next." He snapped.

They sighed and left with their things.

The next offering was a platter of two vegan dishes, one that seemed like a vegan version of mine, with cabbage, carrots, and tofu, instead of meat and beans, and then the other was a sauce, made from some sort of bean, from what I could smell.

Monroe hummed. "Interesting... vegan?"

"Totally vegan." The leader nodded, fixing her hair swiftly.

He nodded and bit into one, without the sauce, and hummed. "Spicy tofu, Spicy faux-chicken, very good, but very spicy... And the sauce?" He dipped the other end in it, and took a bite.

"Black bean and agave, with some turmeric for color, Chef." She nodded.

He nodded slowly. "Good. A solid. Presentation was good, taste was excellent, pairing excellent, and while it wasn't very original, it is something that's very eatable, so I approve. A-, again. Then we have two appetizers for tomorrow and Saturday, more stuff I've got to order... next?"