WoF Shorts: Stolen Sapphires

Chapter 2 ~ (#6) Lacks Respect

Three minutes have passed, the mystery-guest has yet to arrive.
He noticed Dottyback tapped nervously at the seashells at her feet. Her other talon awkwardly rubbing her chest, where her necklace once hung. Surge was mimicking father's posture, and mother was examining her claws as if they were gemstones.

Whoever this dragon is, Ultramarine decided it would be best to just stay completely still and silent. Mother is clearly putting effort in appearing a certain way, it would be best not to ruin that somehow.

"He's here." Colossus slowly turned his head to the left and muted green scales began to emerge from the sea.

The guest comes ashore, after all the stress about showing up on time. He was here.
The dragon wore partly scuffed armor from head to claw, his teeth long and jagged. Almost like an anglerfish. His scales were a dark kelp color, speckles of vibrant green splattered down his sides. Ultra couldn't put his claw on it, but he seemed familiar.

"This is Mollusk." Urchin lowered her head ro bow, Colossus did the same, "It's a pleasure you could join us, sir. Please take a seat."

Mollusk's eyes dissected everyone at the table, groaning quietly before dragging himself to the open seat.

"Ello there..." He gave Ultramarine and his siblings a lazy, unconvincing smile.

Colossus cleared his throat, "Mollusk is a drill sergeant for new guard trainees at the Deep Palace. He's been observing your sparring sessions for the last two full moons."

Ohhhh that's why he looks familiar— Wait. The DEEP Palace?

The Deep Palace is a big deal. That's where the Royal Hatchery is, where Queen Coral keeps her gold and other precious things. It's far below the surface, deep underwater and heavily guarded. Ultra straightened his posture, trying his best to match his father's.

"Yes, yes," Mollusk hurried the conversation along "I was summoned here for what specifically...?"

Dot looked very angry with this guy already. And Surge looks as bored as Mollusk. Oh this is just going to be a splendid sitting-and-listening meeting isn't it.
-
Ultra still put in the effort to appear somewhat interested as his father explains how diligently he's been making connections. Slowly building this metaphorical wall brick by brick. Hoping one day, at least one of his dragonets would have the respectful title of admiral. Something more than commoner.

Mollusk just nodded along, his talons intertwined as if he was thoughtfully engaged in his father's spiel. Ultramarine knows this aged dragon isn't actually paying attention. He has on the same 'mhm, yeah' face as Surge whenever mother is in the middle of scolding him.

"Well, I can for certain say one thing. Dottyback is truly a fine guard in the making. How she took down Loach was resourceful." Mollusk said gruffly. Dot beams with pride, fluttering her wings.

"And him," Mollusk points at Surge "He's strong, got potential." Surge's face suddenly became unreadable.

Ultramarine puffs out his chest, feeling Colossus, Urchin and Mollusk's eyes drag onto him.

"That lizard needs work. He's purposefully holding himself back." Mollusk snorts and huffs at him.

Me? Purposefully holding back? Nahhh... Totally not. Ultra's eyes zip around, letting out a quiet, nervous, awkward chuckle in hopes it makes him look more pathetic to the stranger.
If anything, Mollusk now looks more amused.

"Dottyback is truly a skilled fighter, she'd be excellent addition to the guardian roster." Urchin smiled at Dot and then Mollusk, waiting for the sergeant to respond. He didn't, he sat there and merely gave mother a nod.

"Surge is strong but lacks respect." Colossus suddenly spoke, "But that's something we can quickly have him learn." He slowly turned his head to face Surge, something dark in his father's eyes as he looked at the bigger dragonet. Whatever that coldness was, Surge stared it right back.

"Ultramarine needs more intense practice and more extreme pressure put on him," mother spoke up again, the tone of her voice patient "We're planning on having him and Dottyback compete against one another in the Lazuli Gauntlet."

Ultramarine's blood turns ice cold.

The Lazuli Gauntlet? Against Dot...?

The gauntlet was an intense trail of physical power, wit, and will power. It isn't any official tournament, and it wasn't some grand event with thousands of dragons watching. It's social tradition, challenge for common SeaWings. Still, it really wasn't anything to scoff at. Anyone in the valleys of coral would shudder at the thought of competing against someone in the gauntlet.
Knowing what his parents expect of him, they'll most likely prioritize the combat section of the Lazuli Gauntlet. There's no exact rules with how to do the trails, since it's all for interpretation by the contenders.

Dot and him made eye contact. Her face said 'I'm sorry,' and Ultra's heart couldn't help but ache. He didn't want to fight Dotty in such a competitive manner. This would be a HUGE sparring session! His parents want blood.

Surge looked unfazed at the news. Too unfazed. Ultramarine didn't like it.

Colossus nodded at Dottyback, she hesitated but nodded back "We believe with this push, he'll improve exponentially enough to be placed under your training."

Mollusk growls, silence fills the air. "All of this talk, Colossus..." The sergeant spoke with a hiss "And it's all you assuming that I'll take your lying, CROOK family under my wings!"

Colossus's ears flatten, that was the single strongest emotional reaction Ultra has seen his father ever express. It was alarming enough to Ultramarine that he took a moment to absorb what Mollusk said.

...What??

"Crook family?!" Dotty snarls, flaring her wings and smacking Ultra in the head. Ow. "Why'd you even come to this meeting if it was just to insult us with NONSENSE, you crocodile!"

"Dottyback!" Urchin snips at her, angrily signaling 'control yourself at once!' at Dot in aquatic, bright bioluminescent lights flashing across the table.

Mollusk bared his teeth at Dot with a growly snarl. Without really thinking, Ultra stood up from his seat and put himself in front of his sister, heart pounding in his chest. A gentle expression cascaded over Dottyback's face.

"It took me awhile to realize who you all were. Why you're trying so desperately hard."
Mollusk's face twisted with bitterness, his attention back onto Colossus. "Pathetic and desperate children of thieves! You and your little dragons would never be allowed on royal grounds."

And with a dramatic turn, Mollusk is gone. His tail almost smacked Urchin in the face as he retreated into the sea.

The table is dead quiet.

...

"Well that went swimmingly. Wouldn't you say so, Father?" Surge said innocently.

Dot scowled "Shut the hell up, Surge."