"She takes nothing the council tries to give her. Every resource they've given her has been sent back in full. It's gotten to the point that they don't even bother to send her any resources anymore," he said, "I don't know how she does it. Her business seems to support itself and her without anyone giving anything anywhere."

"She must use whatever income she gets to get what this shop doesn't bring her. I've noticed that she's set up a system with the hunting parties. They always stop by this place before heading out, and the drop off some meat every time the return, so that covers food. She usually goes out each afternoon and picks the ingrediens she needs, so that covers her uncommon supplies. That leaves to question where she gets the bottles and vials to put her work in," he said, starting to smile, "Despite having such a small living space, she has it made. I wouldn't doubt her being able to sustain a bigger home if she wanted to."

"I could and will, but that will have to wait for the eggs to hatch," Mayumi said, carrying in the box of drinks she had made for Frost's booth and placing the on a counter, "It will have to wait a long time after that as well. Every piece of income I've ever had come in from this shop has went to supporting myself and improving the shop itself. I make the bottles and potions, and I gather the ingredients and materials to do that. There's a reason this place looks just like it did when I first had it made, and once I have the funds I will have them expand it to house the hatchlings."

Goldenscale shifted slightly and looked over at Mayumi.  "What are those?" she asked.

"They're the drinks I made to sell and give away at Frost's stand. I don't know why I don't just throw them away, I wont be able to bring my self to drink them," she said with a sigh, "It'll be a long time before I ever truly enjoy the festival with all that's happened."

"You told me to enjoy the festival, why cant you enjoy it with me?" sh asked with a sad frown.

"I didn't say I can't enjoy it, I said I couldn't truly enjoy it. I can still have fun, it just wont have the same meaning. Besides, I have a nest to take care of," she said, steping over to Goldenscale and gesturing for her to get off the nest, "I have some carving to do anyways."

"Is something wrong Goldenscale,"Ahnah asked, sitting against the tree, "Well, anything besides Frost, that's a given."

"I can sense something wrong with you.  If you tell me, I may be able to help," she said, looking up into the tree, "If I can't help on my own, Tieral would gladly do what he can as well."

"Goldenscale, please tell me what's wrong. I don't like seeing you sad like this," she said, climbing up beside Goldenscale, "I want to help, but you have to let me."

"Tieral, Alekai, and I are not against you being happy. We want to see you smile and be happy, even in times such as this. It hurts us to see you sad like this. Yiu've helped us to be happ, we want to return the gesture because we love you," she said, using the tuft of fur on the end of her tail to wipe awayGoldenscale's tears, "We can help you get through this. We will be here for you."