The First week of Storm's new responsibilities went off without any issues.
As they were technically still in winter, Storm didn't expect any problems, but once spring started, things might get a lot busier when hostilities were expected to resume.
The Grans came to check up on the child and were reasonably pleased with the it's development.
The Spring Equinox celebration was expected to start at the end of next week and everyone was hard at work with the preparations.
Storm was currently walking by himself through the city. He wasn't scheduled to recharge the egg chamber for another few hours so he took the time to get some fresh air while Aurora watched over the egg from a safe distance.
As he walked through the city, Storm saw a curious sight. Chrome was standing alone at the edge of a corner.
Staring at something fearfully.
Sneaking up behind him, Storm peeked around the corner and saw the Manticore Xenia talking intently with someone.
"Stalking your secret admirer I see!" Stated Storm behind him.
Causing the silver dragon to practically jump out of his hide.
"Stalking her!!? It's more like the other way around!!? I was minding my own business at the training grounds!! When she came looking for me there!!
Orian stalled her long enough for me to get away! But she's been on my trail ever since!! What am I going to do?!" Stated Chrome.
Storm grinned, amused at the dragon's predicament.
"Why don't you just turn her down then?" Asked Storm.
"How could I!? Quill told me what her mother went through! How she hadn't shown any interest in forming a relationship after her captivity.
It's only now that she's finally scrapped together the self confidence to go looking for someone!
If I reject her, then it might shatter her self confidence completely!!" Stated Chrome.
"Do you actually 'like' her though?" Asked Storm.
"How can I get romantically involved with someone who I called 'auntie ' two weeks ago!?
Maybe in time, it might develop. We have similar likes and dislikes according to Quill, but I'm just not ready for such a commitment yet!" Stated Chrome.
"Then tell her that! It's not an outright rejection and if she really does like you, then she'd be willing to wait!" Stated Storm.
"You know manticores don't tend to see relationships that way, right?" Stated Chrome.
Chrome wasn't kidding.
Manticores were a very savage and barbaric group of flying monsters, beaten only by the evil and twisted Chimera.
When it came to initially choosing mates, strength was more important than the two partners being compatible.
The female initiated the duel in order to test the male's strength, if the male impressed her, they would enter into courtship with the male typically staying until their cubs were raised.
Although sometimes genuinely attraction formed between the two partners and they decide to stay together and raise several prides of cubs.
The females in particular become fiercely possessive of their mates to such an extent that they would kill anyone they thought would try to steal the male from them.
Unless a stonger male came along and beat their mate in a duel. To avoid such a thing from occurring, the two often practice in sparring matches to ensure the male always stays at it's best.
This barbaric practicing often resulted in manticores being looked down on by other flying monsters like griffins or dragons.
Thinking of the race as bloodthirsty sluts that wasn't capable of forming true family bonds.
Xenia hadn't sought out any potential mates since she was freed, which was highly unusual for manticores.
Most likely due to damaged pride and self-loathing.
"You're just going to have to explain the situation to her, you can't keep hiding from her though.
Manticores are relentless trackers and hunters, she'll corner you eventually." Stated Storm.
As if on queue, Xenia spotted Storm and began to walk towards him.
Chrome looked around frantically before dashing into a shadowy alley.
"Calamity!! Sorry to bother you at this time." Stated Xenia.
"Please, Xenia. Only my enemies and new acquaintances call me that! We've known each other for a while now, just call me Storm. "
"As you wish... Storm. You haven't seen that silver dragon you fought with a while back? I believe everyone calls him Mercureum?I've been looking everywhere for him but haven't had any luck?" Asked Xenia.
Storm shot a glance at the dark alley where Chrome was hiding, only his pleading blue eyes were visible in the darkness.
"I believe he left the city recently to go pack his belongings for his relocation to the city.
He'll be back tomorrow I believe though. " Stated Storm.
It didn't look like Xenia believed him, but she accepted his lie.
"When you see him, can you tell him that I'm looking for him and send him to me? It's quite urgent!" Stated Xenia.
"I'm sure it is!!" Thought Storm.
"I'll pass on your message. " stated Storm.
Xenia turned around and walked away with a considerably more confidence stride that he had seen her use before before .
Once the danger had passed, Chrome poked his head out of the alley.
"I'm doomed!!" Complained Chrome.
Storm chuckled and shook his head, if someone had told him before the battle against the Goblins that he'd be giving romance advice to his children a few months later.
He'd have locked them up for clearing being insane. And yet here he was, doing just that.
"Thanks for covering for me, sir!" Stated Chrome.
".... Chrome.... you've spent several months in my household now... Orian has already accepted you and you two are practically brothers, Aurora sees you as a member of the family... Plus you're a adult now, So I think we're past the point of you calling me 'sir'." Stated Storm.
"What am I supposed to call you then!? Ive literally only been an adult for one week!!?" Asked Chrome.
"How about 'father'?" Asked Storm.
The suggestion caught Chrome completely by suprise, after his mind caught up he grinned and nodded his head.
"Yes... i think I can do that..." stated Chrome.
As Storm and Chrome walked back home together, Storm suddenly realized something.
"Since Xenia has been chasing after you! Has anyone been pursuing Orian!!?" Asked Storm concerned.
"There have been a few potential suitors, but to my knowledge he turned them all down." Explained Chrome.
"Please do me a big favor, son?"
"Anything, si- uhhh, father?"
"Never tell your mother that!" Stated Storm.