The Suffering Begins Anew

Miss you so, return to me  !

It had been long enough; Even if Maristela hadn't reached out to them, the online reviews said the Seven Sisters was open again. Checked every day. Excited for pretty lady? Cloud said with amusement. Even he was getting in on the teasing these days.

Rory sighed and pat his head. "Let's get going."

When they arrived at the store, it looked completely different. The sign was completely revamped, the displays showed many more products, and even the concrete outside sparkled. Whether it was the actual material or an enchantment, even Rory couldn't tell. The biggest improvement they noticed was the door--more than enough to accommodate Cloud. Inside, the silks and linens and beautiful clothing were set out again. He noticed with a hint of relief that many of the stands were bolted down and spaced far apart. Hopefully they could withstand a certain dragon if he got too excited again, and if they couldn't, there shouldn't be the same sort of chain reaction.

Instead of shouting hello like a normal creature, Cloud just screamed out a bunch of happy squeaks to let the others know they were there.

“Areceli, dear, could you help Astra for me?” Stela asked with amusement, mending the dark colored cloak the storm dam wore when out and about. She had thought it would be fine with just a simple enchantment to keep it clean, but she too was proving to be a pain when it came to keeping things in a single piece.

“Yes Miss Stela!” Crawling, using her wings as another set of legs, she flailed about her galaxy colored wings so the mannequins stopped dressing Astra in the bright pink and frilly clothes. Though Astra didn’t seem to mind and just gave a slow blink at his dragon sibling.

“Oh, hi Ari.” Getting up and stretching, he stayed still as she started preening his ears, still used to her small days when it was more acceptable to lay on him. Now she was much bigger than he was, though hadn’t grown out of the habit.

Their peaceful morning was short lived though, for once not to the dismay of Stela. She had been waiting so long to get her apprentice back, and hearing those squeaks, she could already tell who it was before coming from behind the counter to see that soft colored male making his way in with his worried rider behind.

“Oh Cloud, you haven’t changed one bit I see.” Leaning over to give the top of his head a small smooch, her darker colored lipstick left a small print on his forehead, but nothing a damp cloth wouldn’t fix.

“Mr Cloud! Mr Rori!” Areceli squeaked back, crawling at them so happily. The one small puffy baby bat was now almost as big as Cloud, easily ridable for Stela, but still as sweet and well behaved as she sat and didn’t wiggle around like Cloud was.

Rory looked at Araceli suspiciously; She could make trouble at any second, just like Cloud. Cloud reassured him that he would never make trouble, but that just made him more suspicious. "Well, I'm back," said Rory, feigning annoyance. "I think I still have to pay you back a bit. What was the amount, now...?" He looked around at the new stalls, trying to parse out how much of it he had a hand in making (not many at all) and how much those were worth, then how much effort he put in while crafting, then the things he "sold" before, then the favors he ran around doing...oh, but there was training as a tailor. Would that count for or against his debt?

While Rory tried--badly--to do the math in his head, Cloud was a bit more distracted by the lovely lady in front of him. Her star-like markings and sleek fur made him want to touch her. And, Cloud being Cloud, he did. Imitating Stela, he leaned in and gave Araceli a big lick. She was as soft as she looked, and just the right amount of chilly! He hummed happily. "My name is Cloud," he said in his best attempt at a suave voice. It almost sounded normal. He didn't recognize the little bat at all from their first meeting, so he was quite content to try his hand at flirting.

Rory raised his eyebrows. Cloud, we haven't picked out a dam for you yet. Keep to yourself.

The bat swiveled his ears as if he heard what Rory said, but licked Araceli again to show he didn't care.

“You are indeed~ It’s been so long though, Rory darling. Let’s talk business tonight after we catch up. How are things, how’s the family?” Glancing over as she felt small giddy feelings from her own night colored dam (who was being the best girl she could), she could only chuckle as she wasn’t expecting anything different.

For now though, she wrapped an arm around Rory’s waist to lead him to the new sitting area, where there was a small lay out of finger sandwiches and flautas, with just a small bottle of wine that was opened and poured into a single glass by where Maristella was sitting. Smaller plates were set on smaller tables for one would assume the dragons, but for now were abandoned as Araceli was nosing at Cloud as she gave him a small lick in return.

“Oh dear, well kids will be kids. Areceli did grow quite a bit as you pair were gone. I think she’s almost full grown now.” Cooing sweetly to the pair of bats, the dam turned to look but nuzzled herself under Cloud’s neck as she looked. Sweet looking as could be before turning her heart shaped pupils to him.

“Indeed, Mr Cloud! I was so small when you left. Tiny tiny furry baby that fit between Miss Stela’s bosoms.” Squawking happily, she was so excited to see her friends again, it seemed so much longer than it was as she was still so young but now all grown up! So she could help. “Do you want snacks too, Mr Cloud? They’re tasty!”

Cloud tilted his head, confused at the talk of smallness, but happy to be snuggled either way. Araceli was about as big as him, how could she be small? Not one to worry over trivial things, he nodded fervently at Araceli. "I love tasty snacks! What sort? Let's share."

Rory wracked his memory and did sort of remember a small bat. It looked like Araceli had grown about as quickly as Cloud. He allowed himself to be led by the flirtatious Stella--well aware that her closeness was just trying to rile him up--and then looked excitedly at the food. He was probably even more excited than Cloud to see flautas on the menu. He played it down and tried to seem disinterested. "I guess the dragons are hungry, so we might as well eat. The family is--well, they're as fine as usual. Are we sure that little table will fit all the dragons?"

“There are sandwiches and crunchy taco roll things!” Araceli told Cloud, leading the way to the table (that was also bolted down at the moment, a permanent addition it seemed) squeaking all the way as she did so. The once quiet house was always filled with bat noises now, not that Stela nor Astra seemed bothered by it after quite a time of Cloud noises.

“We can always just leave them to their consumption if you’re not hungry Rory, you have to keep that prime figure of yours.” Stela teased, but was already handing him a plate and off to get another glass so the wine could be shared. She knew well enough that the other male was enticed by the wholesome food made in the area, even if someone with his upbringing usually would not be. “It should, another one of my customers stayed for a short lunch with his dragon and it was much larger than Cloud or Ari.”

Stela also grabbed another plate, the bottom having a small suction cup like a child plate but about the same size as an average dinner plate. Stabbing a few flautas and putting a few sandwiches on the plate for the new dragon arrival, the plate stuck to the table and remained unmoved. Less of course it was being purposely removed by a devious bat, but Stela for now assumed that would never be the Cloud who was trying to seduce a nice lady of his own.

"No, if Cloud is eating I might as well eat; The last thing I need is him complaining about being hungry just because I'm not full." He grabbed two flautas off the plate with his hands and a small slice of sandwich on the side, just to make it seem like he wasn't overly interested in his first choice. He sat at the table quickly and then proffered a wine cup to Maristella. "I'd love some, if you're offering." He suspected a bit of wine was necessary, at least for today.

"I never complain," Cloud said matter-of-factly. Maristella had guessed correctly--he was on his best behavior as he tried to seduce this new lady in his life. When Maristella stuck the plates to the table, Cloud patiently waited for her hand to retract, then completely devoured the meal. He was doing his best, but didn't quite know table manners. One bite per object was normal, right? One flauta, one sandwich, one sandwich...done? He made sure to chew at least. That was important, too. He looked to Araceli to make sure he was following etiquette and appearing polite. Did she think he was strange? Hopefully not.

“Hmmmmmm, sounds a bit like excuses, but I shall let you have them as a welcome back gift.” Taking the bottle of wine that was sitting on the table, Stela did indeed pour some for Rory into the retrieved glass. Not filling it fully like a _classy lady_, but also as she didn’t need to have her guest drunk before dinner even came. She was expecting to have Rory allllll day like the old times, and was sure going to make such sad expressions if that wasn’t the case.

Off with the dragons, Araceli was being quite well behaved and mannered. She did indeed eat one bite like Cloud, but took her time doing so and grabbed items delicately. Somehow seeming more proper than even Astra, who was just digging in without a care in the world.

Waiting for Cloud to be finished, she snuggled back under his neck, rubbing against his chest fluff that was soft with her own soft body. It was a happy time, mostly due to Stela giving off those silent pleased feelings, it was nice having her rider this happy and extended to the dragons as well.

“Maybe after lunch we can go to the park, Mr Rory and Mr Cloud. Stela takes me there all the time to fly around!”

“Now, now, darling, Let the boys get settled back in. They were gone sooooo long, weren’t they? They haven’t even got to see the new guest room they’d be sleeping in if they stayed.” Which, sadly did put an end to Stela’s antics that always produced a slight blush from Rory, but that also meant she could walk around in the nude without feeling bad for the flustered man.

"A room?" Rory asked curiously. Hopefully it was at least better than the last room. Better than the couch would be nice, too. The last things he needed were more morning antics if he was going to stay a while again. At the same time... "You could show it off after we go to the park. Cloud can get out some energy and hopefully that means he won't destroy your new place."

Cloud was nearly purring with happiness at the big fluffy dragon cozying up to him. Next time he would be more polite with his bites, like she was. "I want to go fly with Araceli!" It wasn't a request so much as an announcement. He whipped open his wings and spread them out, knocking over anything that wasn't nailed down or suction cupped to the table. His left wing bent a little bit towards Araceli, almost like a protective shield, but she was by no means constrained.

“Yes, we had the second floor expanded a bit as we took over the building next to us, so a better guest room was put into place. Sadly, the couch is gone.” Ah, the good days of Rory just snoozing on the couch because the bed definitely needed to be replaced but it was far too much of a pain.

“It has its own kitchen, Mr Rory and Mr Cloud!” Ara told them, living up to her pampered life as she snuggled into Cloud, even as he made another attempt to make a mess.

Also thankfully though, Stela has just gone through the joys of raising a storm of her own and had giant baby proofed the abode. So the only things that really moved were the objects on the ‘adult’ table, which Stela picked up the wine bottle and her glass as the food would most likely mainly be eaten by the dragons. .

“Well, if the boys want to. Go get your blanket, deary. You can take Cloud with you too to see if he wants one too.” And by blanket, she meant saddle. A softer saddle at least that just made riding more comfortable when they soared high up.

Oh how the children grew up so fast, and Ara squeaked as she led the way to ‘her’ closet. Many dragon sized things in there for the pretty dam and big enough for Cloud as well if he so wanted to try. Maybe Ara could teach Cloud more calm ways, But Stela had high doubts on that one.

“I’d say it had become quiet without you two here, but Ara seems to be living up to her storm heritage.”

"Even if you say that, she seems calm enough. If only Cloud were that nice." He sighed, scarfed down the rest of the food, and downed the remaining wine. They'd hopefully have more when they got back.

Cloud was much too busy looking through the closet to hear his Rider's grievances. There were tons of beautiful cloths, silks, and saddles in here. As expected of a master seamstress, her dragons' tackle was second to none. Cloud nosed through and located an especially pretty white saddle, glistening and sparkling as if it was made of ice. He draped it over Araceli. "Pretty, like you!"

“Well, I am also a trainer, my dear Rory. What sort of trainer would I be with an unruly dragon?” Taking the rest of the wine and downing it as well, she left the food down on the smaller table for Astra to have as he pleased. He hadn’t pipped up about wanting to come with, so she figured he wanted to lounge around for now.

“Besides, maybe he will on his own. Trying to charm his own little lady, who is oh so prim and proper.” Motioning for Rory to follow, she led him to a ‘closet’ that was bigger than even most higher ups. Of course it had to be, for all Araceli’s clothing, or that’s what Stela told herself.

Still for a moment as Cloud picked out her ‘blanket’, she wiggled it on and stood proudly, licking at his face. “I’m always pretty, Stela says so! You are pretty too, Mr Cloud!”

"Wait, you're a trainer? I didn't know that," Rory said, surprised. That explained a little bit, but thinking of Maristella as a trainer...he couldn't ever imagine her being serious. Maybe treats were involved. Maybe there was another side to her that he really didn't want to know about. "It would be good if he started acting appropriately, but--" he tried to whisper to Maristella "--Cloud really shouldn't be bonding with random dragons, you know?"

Cloud still couldn't care less about their conversations. "Rory never calls me pretty. He says I'm handsome. You're handsome, too." He nuzzled their noses together then went back to rummaging through the tack. He pulled out a sleek black saddle and wiggled it on himself. It was a bit of a tight fit, but he managed. He quietly thought to himself that he should lose a bit of weight so he could fly faster and impress Araceli. "Look, it's black like your scales. Now we match!" he said proudly.

“Oh, yes, I started shortly before I got Araceli. I didn’t really need to get into it until she got bigger, a sweet girl that I adore but oh did she come with bad habits.” Sighing at the past thoughts, it had all worked out and her darling baby girl had the sense to learn over fight her every step of the way. “Well, luckily for you it’s not just a random dragon, my darling. I’m sure they’ll make some beautiful children, though you might want to talk with Cloud if you don't want them out of wedlock.”

“Well, boys are handsome and girls are pretty. Though, I guess boys can be pretty and girls can be handsome too. Stela says people do what they want.” Gasping as he found a just as pretty saddle, it was perfect! Matching! “Oh, oh! Let’s go show Stela and Mr Rory! We are very pretty dragons!” They just had to see how cute they were, they would surely agree!

Rory sighed. "We haven't picked someone for Cloud to bond with yet, I can't just let--"

"Rory, I thought Araceli was handsome! You always call me handsome!" The storm dragon was so distressed he forgot to think it. "Now I've called her a boy thing when she's a pretty girl." He blinked. "Wait, does that mean I'm not pretty?" Completely forgetting his train of thought, he crowded next to Araceli. "We're very pretty dragons though, aren't we? We match now!"

"Yes, very pretty," Rory said, less enthused than Cloud seemed to be. He would just have to have a very long talk with the dragon after they went home. It was his fault for not socializing him sooner.

Amused, Stela covered her mouth to quiet a chuckle at the poor distressed Cloud. Doing his absolute best to seduce and worry so much about the wrong words. Oh how the innocent love was such a sight to see for the untrained and new to it.

“The two of you are such gorgeous and cute dragons, such a lovely pair if I do say so myself.” Ara was a bit confused by the distressed sire, but just happy to be there as she laid down, looking up with big eyes at Stela who gave her forehead a smooch before she gave Cloud’s forehead one too.

“Aren’t we pretty, Stela! We can match as we fly around now.”

“Yes darling, so pretty, let’s head to the park now so we can show everyone how pretty you are. Before poor Rory has to think much more about his darling Cloud trying to be a casanova.”