Dragoncrest Cliffs after rain

The small wail drew Wildfire's attention back to Blixen. She bit her lip as she peered down at the girl, who was for all intents and purposes both perfectly endearing and endearingly perfect. The Bandrona felt like she must have a stone in her chest rather than a heart right now, for she could not call up even a remote feeling of fondness for her own adorable offspring. She did feel an urge to protect her and make sure she developed and grew according to plan... but there was something desperately missing here.

"I'm sorry," she said to the baby, reaching out to scoop her little miniature against her chest. She licked the top of Blixen's head, just going through the motions without any particular feelings attached.