Family Tradition (Hypothetically Post-Future Daybreak)

[hophophopper]

It was twenty minutes past five, and Ichinose Tamami had already gotten up and showered; now, she was reviewing the inventory and revising her estimations on how busy today would be.

She had the feeling of being watched, and thought for a moment it was Houtaro, ready to lend her a hand already. But, when she turned, she had to look down, and could only blink at what she saw.

A tiny blue dragon, easily enough mistaken for a toy, looking up at her and fidgeting with- nerves? Quite possibly.

She put down the bag of rice with the sort of care reserved for when someone really wants to just drop something.

The dragon - robot? - seemed to take that as an invitation, however; it even sounded like a kid as it spoke. "G'morning, Houtaro's mom! I know he's asleep right now, and he'd be really worried if he knew I was out here talking to ya, but- he just had a really big day yesterday, and I'm not sure he said anything to you. Buuuut the traveling we did kinda stressed him out, and he'd told me about some of the things you did for him that helped and- Can I help you make some pancakes for him? Please?"

Tamami felt her jaw drop as the flood of words began; if this was a dream, or something similar, it was the most outrageous one she'd had.

And yet, she could absolutely imagine her son happening upon a sentient dragon and not telling her.

And.

And if he'd trusted this being enough to tell them about the pancakes, who knew what else it had already been told, or expected of her?

"I promise I'll wash up and follow instructions and everything! Please don't be mad, Mrs-Houtaro's-Mom!"

Her shock broke at that, and her shoulders lowered as relieved laughter burst forth.

"I'll tell you what, little dragon-"

"Oh, the name's Nijigon! Nice to meet ya."

"Nijigon, then. If you'll tell me what my son got up to yesterday, we can make those pancakes together, how about that?"

The little blue dragon weighed the options for a second, then nodded to himself (possibly? The voice did sound male, but she couldn't be sure). Then, because this morning seemed full of surprises, it hovered up so it could be eye level with her.

"I'll tell you! Though it still has to be a secret, okay? Family stuff."

She nodded, recalling some of her own secrets... "Family secrets are often like that."

It followed her to the kitchen, and that bag of rice wasn't going to be the only thing she'd have to take care not to drop, of that Tamami was sure.