Lykaea and Nivara

Lulu had been pacing in the side hallway for what felt like forever. The polished obsidian tiles clicked faintly under her bare toes as her tail swished behind her, restless and high with anticipation. Her fingers fluttered at the edges of her wrap, the new one, deep crimson with gold-threaded tassels and she gave it another tug, adjusting it needlessly. It didn’t help. Her ears kept twitching every time she thought she heard footsteps, and her eyes darted toward the entrance corridor like she could will time forward just by staring hard enough.

“A real Drakenshard,” she whispered to herself, lips tugging into a grin. “A real one. A descendant! A living heir of the Emberblood line!”

Her mind spiraled: Would they have scales? Glowing eyes? Maybe they breathed fire when they got angry or excited? Maybe their skin shimmered under sunlight? Were they twice her height? Would they have that ancient magic the elders talked about, the kind that could summon storms and split stone?

And most of all... would they notice her?

“I should’ve worn the turquoise one,” she muttered, spinning on her heel, tugging at the crimson wrap again. “No, no, this one brings out my tail. Focus, Lulu, focus. You have one job don’t faint, don’t trip, don’t say something stupid and...”

“don’t embarrass the entire den.” Niva’s voice, low and grounded like always, snapped the thought in two.

Lulu turned too quickly and nearly tripped, ears flicking upright in alarm “You scared me!”

“You’re loud enough to wake the sun. Of course I did.” Niva leaned against the stone archway, arms crossed, tail coiled neatly at her side.

“But it’s not just anyone, Niva. It’s them. The Matron said so herself they carry the flame in their blood! What if they’re...”

“a person. Not a myth.” Niva’s voice cut cleanly through the rising tide of Lulu’s excitement. “So breathe, behave, and stop twirling your tail like it’s in heat. You’re not here to flirt.”

Lulu huffed, pouting, but even she knew when Niva was right. Still, she couldn’t completely shut down the shimmer of thrill in her chest.

“I just… I wanna make a good impression,” she murmured. “Is that so bad?”

Niva sighed. It wasn’t the heavy kind, just enough to show resignation “Only if you forget who you’re representing.”

“I won’t! Promise. Cross my tail and hope to faint.”

“…Not reassuring.”

The two walked together toward the ceremonial arch Lulu practically bouncing, Niva fluid and silent beside her. The Matron’s audience chamber loomed ahead, warm light glowing from within. Lulu swallowed her nerves.

Once inside, the Matron greeted the guest formally, her presence towering, her voice like smoke and stone. Lulu didn’t speak she dared not interrupt but her eyes kept flitting from the Matron to the guest, wide and glittering. When her name was finally called, she nearly tripped over her own excitement stepping forward.

After the audience concluded, Lulu led the way through the spiraled corridor system, and Niva followed just a pace behind

Their destination, one of the guest sanctums. Private, warm, tucked beneath the southern ridge. Reserved only for high honors and few higher existed than a Drakenshard.

Lulu opened the door, tail wagging softly now “We’re here!” she announced, tone just shy of a squeal “It’s not huge but it’s comfy! I picked out the bedding myself, oh! And we’ve got palm wine chilling, and hibiscus steamed towels, and fruit, and —”

“Lulu.” Niva didn’t raise her voice. She didn’t need to.

Lulu flinched, then giggled nervously, stepping aside with a bow so the guest could enter properly.

Once inside, she fluttered over to the basin alcove “So! Um. If you’d like a bath, I can draw one it’s got mineral salts and scented oils and... I’m trained, you know. Bathing. Warming oils. Scalp massages. All professional! Unless you want me to stay out. I mean, in which case I’d just leave water and not stare or anything”

“She means,” Niva interrupted coolly, “that your comfort comes first. If there’s anything you need, speak it. If not, we remain at your side until dismissed.”

Lulu turned toward them again, face bright. “And food! Right! We have grilled blossomfin, honeyed tubers, or I could make that stew thing I tried once that maybe burned a little... Or we could try something new, or I could feed you! That’s totally a thing! And Niva makes the best tea!”

“Lulu,” Niva warned, again.

“Sorry!” Lulu slapped her hands over her mouth, ears flat. “I just… I’m excited. You’re really here. We’ve heard stories for years, and now, you’re real and... and I want to do everything right.”

She turned to Niva, eyes a little too wide now. “Did I mess it up already?”

Niva gave a slow blink. Then, almost imperceptibly, her posture softened “No,” she said “But you’re close.”

Lulu laughed, breathless. “Okay okay! I’ll shut up. Starting now. Mmmhmm. Not another word.”

“Unless you want another pillow! Or”

“Lulu.”

“Mmmfh.”

She zipped her lips shut with a dramatic gesture, sitting beside the basin with her tail wrapped tightly around her ankles. Niva looked at the guest again, eyes steady and cool.

“We are yours to command,” she said simply. “Whatever is required, rest, warmth, privacy, or company. Do not hesitate. This household honors its guests... especially those of the bloodline.”

A moment of silence passed before Lulu, unable to contain herself, leaned in and whispered “...Do you really breathe fire when you’re angry?”