She put the portable nest on the Cron’s head, to ensure he wouldn’t lose it.
"Is this how she usually treats you?" He snarled. "Am I supposed to put up with this level of disrespect on a daily basis?"
"You wish." Crash scoffed. "This is her giving you the benefit of the doubt. Wait until you’re not on probation anymore, and you’ll see the real Selia."
’Maybe I worried about the wrong female.’ Bash pondered. ’The mother sounds much more annoying than the daughter.’
Fenrir was clinging to his neck, gently patting his head and peppering it with kisses.
"Can we try your nest, mister bird? Pretty please?" She asked after feeling how soft and comfortable the quilt was to the touch.
"Sure." He nodded, placing it on the ground below him. "And call me... Bash. No need for honorifics."
’It’s over. I called myself Bash. Now I’m going to carry this stupid name for the rest of my life.’ He inwardly sighed.
"Thanks, Bash." Fenrir snuggled under the Cron’s huge feathers, like a chick seeking its parent’s warmth. "It’s so..."
Her voice drifted away as she fell asleep on the spot.
"Can we get inside the nest too, Mom?" The triplets asked.
The Cron looked at the kids and then at their parents, hoping to be spared further humiliation.
"Only if you don’t bother mister Bash and if he’s okay with it." Rena politely nodded at the magical beast.
It was the equivalent of telling him that the choice was up to him, but refusing the Hatchlings of the Crownless King’s sister wasn’t something a proud warrior of the woods would ever do.
"No problem." He sighed.
"So fluffy." Falco yawned.
"So warm." Teryon snuggled under the feathers until only her head was out.
"So..." Lenart and his siblings fell asleep like one, joining Fenrir in her soft snoring.
"Quiet." Rena’s eyes became veiled with tears. "Gods, I can’t believe it’s so early in the morning and yet so quiet already. Can I borrow Bash when I’m having a bad day?"
Selia couldn’t believe her eyes or ears, but she was a practical woman. She put Solkar down near the nest, and the baby boy stepped inside after sniffing the unknown creature a bit.
In less than a minute, he was asleep as well, with a peaceful expression on his face.
"It works! It really works!" Selia’s voice cracked, forcing her to Hush the kids. "Where have you been all my life?"
She hugged the flabbergasted Cron, ruffling his head and giving him plenty of meat.
"I’m sorry about the Bash thing, but I can’t change your name or Lilia, and Leran would be offended."
"What a suck-up!" Crash clicked his tongue.
"Brother my furry behind, this guy is a traitor!" Slash said in outrage.
"I did nothing wrong!" Bash replied. "Also, I’m a Cron and a warrior. Why is everyone treating me like a mother hen?"

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