A/N: Yes, this chapter is incredibly short when compared to others, but... I think the content in here is more than worth it. Who wants some development between the Dragon Gods?

Huge thing to note here: This happens before the events in 'Confined'... Shalim is not shackled and Mizuchi is at His full power!

Enjoy!

J-Dawg: It's not easy being angsty.

Well, the Wind Tribe and Fire Tribe are both located in Hoshido, so anyone born in those Tribes are Hoshidan… likewise, the Ice Tribe and Water Tribe are located in Nohr, so anyone born in those Tribes are Nohrian. It's like being born in a different city, but the same state as someone else.

...Maybe later. Maybe also have one where someone takes an ice bath with Felicia.

There are more than just Felicia and Selena… at least two more.

Heh, go Elise ;)

You can thank Benny for that. If there's at least one Nohrian who showed genuine compassion, there has to be more. If Oboro hadn't met Benny, she might have regarded Elise and Felicia with more hostility.

Ah, Olivia… well, I know she'll be back for Laslow's next side chapter, but… other than that? I dunno.

Ushas stands at the edge of Her realm's boundaries, taking another moment to bask in the light Her realm offers. "It has been a while since we talked, hasn't it?" Her voice echoes. A flash of light, Her human form takes shape, She raises Her hand, utters a spell, and Her boundaries are open to a predetermined distance. Then She smiles as She sees that Mizuchi has already arrived. "Greetings, Water."

He has even summoned His own lake to swim around in! "It's good to see you again, Dawn." He speeds around His element, perfectly content. "How long? A few thousand years?"

She nods, "About that, yes." A splash echoes out as He pops His upper half of His serpentine dragon form out of the water. "Your performance is coming soon, correct?"

Despite His dragon form being unable to, She knows He wants to fully smile, "It is. Three months, two days, five hours, and forty minutes." Well that, and She can see that the end of His tail is swinging around. "As always, you are welcome to watch."

She lightly giggles, "I'd love to, Water."

"Oh, we're starting?" Another boundary moves as Khione stands tall, alongside a rush of cold air. Her frozen scales shine with a brilliance from Ushas's light… and that brilliance reflects off of Mizuchi's lake. "Brother… Dawn." Khione scoots over to get closer to Water's boundary.

"Sister." Now, the term isn't literal, that's just how close Water and Ice are, in fact… the two are so close that all they do is share a lengthy look, and an entire conversation has passed.

"How do you fare, Ice?" Dawn asks.

"I fare quite well." She nods, though it's clear Her focus is still on Mizuchi. "The others are late… though I no mind that Fire is late."

"I doubt He'll stay the whole time." Mizuchi comments. "And of course, Dusk will want to be last…"

"Which means it will be a long time before He shows." Ushas sadly nods. "Fire? Wind?" She calls out.

"Yes yes, I'm here." A violent gust of wind swirls around as Enlil shows Himself… like Mizuchi, His dragon form is also serpentine, long and skinny. "I had hoped to have a few more moments to myself. But… here I am. Yes, I'm well, I do hope you all are doing well." Rushing things, as normal.

"Always as swift as a tornado… perhaps as destructive." Khione mutters. "Too wound up, you should settle yourself."

"Ah no. I'm always prepared… lest I become as stagnant water." Enlil sharply responds.

"My waters are as churned as your sands, maybe even moreso." Mizuchi gently counters. "Though I'll echo Ice, we're here to chat… take this time to relax. Our people don't have to be monitored at all times."

"Bah, of course you side with Her." All the while Enlil is zipping around.

"Enlil is complaining? Mizuchi sides with Khione? Are you truly expecting something new?" Gugrang's voice booms out… a gust of wind, a downpour of water, finished off with a heavy snowfall… all of which evaporates when it nears the Fire Dragon God. "Just as this… why? Make this quick."

"You aren't that different, Fire." Wind snipply states. "You should try changing yourself, you might find more power that way."

"Hmph. Larger areas consume larger resources. I'd rather stay where I am, lest the heat spreads."

"Then maybe you should make that space smaller." Ice snaps. "We'd be less liable to hear your constant roaring."

"Block yourself, Ice. Or else some of your cold might accidently vanish."

"Ice, Fire… please." Dawn pleads with an internal sigh… this happens everytime.

"I… agree." A whisper sounds out as Shalim finally arrives. "No I mean… make this go by. Though… less bickering would… help."

"Greetings, Dusk." Water speaks up.

"Hello… Water." Shalim lies down, before summoning a portion of His element to cover him, "...Dawn."

"I'm happy to see you well, Dusk." Ushas bows. The only real tension between the Dragon Gods is Ice and Fire… and whenever Wind starts up His antics or Fire demeans the others. So, just because Ushas is Dawn and Shalim is Dusk doesn't mean They don't get along.

Gugurang stamps the ground, creating a number of fissures in his area, "Do be careful, lest you fall through the floor and land in a Fire Tribe area." Wind drily says.

"Better than slipping through cracks where you don't belong." Fire rises.

"No, better to slip through what is already there, rather than making new ones." He circles in His air several times, "Is there anything to actually speak of?"

"We aren't our people, Ushas. There are things that need to be done, and we don't have the time to spend on idle chatter."

Dawn frowns, "Perhaps if we took more time to make these more frequent, then we could end up having time to speak." The frown fades to a more straight line, "I enjoy seeing you all. I mean… our people speak with each other, so why can't we?"

Fire huffs, letting out a massive plume of smoke and fire, "Because we don't live that kind of life." He turns his massive form, so much larger than any of the other Dragon Gods, a true display of pure power. Mere seconds later, His boundary closes off and He is out of sight.

Woosh, a gust of air rushes through as Wind wordlessly leaves. Dawn frowns once more. "Water? Ice? Dusk?"

Ice's form relaxes, "I'm open for a discussion… now that He is gone." She glares in the direction of Fire.

Water slowly nods, "He does make things more tense, but… that's in His nature." Dusk remains silent.

"Ice, your holiday is coming soon, correct?" Dawn asks.

She nods, "It is… a chilling breeze will sweep over this land once more." Despite being in Her dragon form, Ushas can tell that She would be smiling right now. 'Khionemas', a holiday by Her people to honor their Dragon Goddess… such a delightful idea!

"Shall I have my Communer visit once more?" Water looks upon Ice.

"I would appreciate it… shall my Communer visit yours?"

"Yes, please." The two share a content look.

Mizuchi dives into the water for a few moments while Khione happily sighs, which also causes a mini-blizzard to leave Her mouth. Ushas smiles at the display and Shalim stays neutral. "I've been… thinking." The Dusk Dragon whispers. "I wish to Bless." Doubt enters His voice.

"What concerns you, Dusk?" Dawn asks.

"My people are immune... to becoming corrupted by Dark Magic, but…" He pauses, "That doesn't mean they... are immune to the pursuit of power. My Communer is worried for my lack of… presence."

"You do what you can, if you don't believe it will help, then don't." Mizuchi calmly supplies… beneath the waves.

"Yes, it is exclusively your decision to Bless someone." Ushas nods.

"If your Communer is pushing for the idea, then perhaps you should simply assign a different Communer?" Khione bluntly states. "Your people follow you."

"We have an appearance to keep, as well." Mizuchi shakes His head as He rises from the water, "Compromise, if your Communer truly believes a Blessing is required, I suggest taking the time to observe the potential followers. I think that if you promise your Communer that much, then they will remain content."

Dusk remains silent for a moment, then speaks up again, "She has already provided... a few people she believes will bear good children. I just worry… I already failed my people in this regard before. Granted, it was… well before her time, but…"

"Hmph, I think it would be in your best interest to appoint a new Communer." Khione stands firm.

"Suggesting people?" Ushas echoes, "I'm… afraid I'm inclined to agree with Ice. Your Communer sounds too assertive. How often does she request your aid?"

"My lands suffer, Dawn. I share... what I can, but I'm not versed in… restoration." The shadows cover His form more, like a blanket.

"Ice? Water? What of your lands?"

"Mine are covered in a blanket of snow, as it should be." Khione states.

"The waters are fresh and the land around Crynkesia are fertile… mine stands well-tended to." Mizuchi proudly says.

"Dusk?"

"I… don't know." He lowers his head, ashamed. "We can't see all… so there are many things I cannot note." A sigh, "I do not know how to counter this."

Direct intervention is forbidden among the Dragon Gods. Their presences are too great, as to simply exist in the lands will bring magic that can't be contained… Their element would consume the surrounding area. Khione's presence would freeze all life within several miles, Mizuchi would flood that same area, Ushas would bring a light so bright that it would burn, Shalim would cause a total blackout, Enlil would harbor tornadoes and hurricanes strong enough to uproot a mountain, and Gugurang?

Well, He scoffed at the 'law' and made a home within the mortal lands. His presence caused a mountain to crack open and turn into the first recorded volcano, lava devastated the surrounding land, the ground was fragmented… and His people only praise Him for it.

"Perhaps your Communer wishes for a Blessing to mend the lands?" Mizuchi suggests.

"Bah, listen to you…" Enlil returns, another gale storm accompanying Him. "The solution is simple… your Communer wishes for a Blessing? Give her one in the form of a Divine Weapon. Forge a weapon that can raise greenery."

"And why must it be a weapon?" Khione scoffs.

"If you are so fearful a Blessing would be misused, then forging a Divine Weapon would assure that its purpose would be fulfilled." Enlil continues.

"...I can see His reasoning, Dusk." Mizuchi nods, "If you wish, I can bestow my power to aid you. Plants need water."

"Sunlight, as well… I know we're opposite in elements, but I would be honored if I can aid you and yours." Ushas bows.

"I… couldn't." Shalim looks away.

"Then your lands will continue to rot and decay until…"

"Silence, Wind!" Khione roars. "You gave your input, now leave!" A blizzard starts up.

"Sister, breathe." Mizuchi calmly states. "Wind, thank you for your advice, we will take it into heavy consideration."

"I wish you would dull your wit at times… but yes, thank you, Wind." Ushas nods.

Enlil puffs His chest out, before returning to His realm. "A Divine Weapon… that can promote… life?" Shalim contemplates. "I will… consult my Communer." He stands tall and the shadows finally fade away, showing off His majestic midnight-black scales. When Dawn's light hits His scales, it also causes these tiny twinkles to show… like a night sky full of stars.

For two elements so opposite, Dawn and Dusk mix so well together… then why can't Ice and Fire do the same?

"Hmph, excluding Wind's sharp tongue, I believe you should follow through this." Ice has since calmed down. "Present it as a gift."

Ushas smiles, "Gifts are a wonderful way to develop relations! I have always exchanged gifts with my current Communer."

"I agree. I may ask for frequent dance and song, but I always properly repay my Communer, Songstress, and Dancer." The mere thought causes Mizuchi to chuckle. "That just leaves one thing… what will this Divine Weapon be named?"

Several minutes pass in silence before Shalim nods to Himself. "This Divine Weapon… shall be named… Brynhildr."