Lúcio sobbed, desperately clutching the little hatching as you try to pry it out of his hands. The baby’s new family was showing up to pick them up soon, so it was time to say goodbye. But… Lúcio didn’t want to say goodbye. They weren’t his biological children, but they were his BABIES. YOUR babies. It hurt you too, having to say goodbye to this sweet little baby naga, and having to see YOUR naga in such distress.

You finally pry the infant out of his arms and he reaches out to it in desperation, begging that you don’t take away his baby. He tended to their egg! He watched them hatch and took care of them like they were his own. This just wasn’t fair!! You knew it had to be done though. You couldn’t take care of so many Maya’s at once. You didn’t have the space, the funds, or the time. It was better for he hatchling to find a new home.

You run your back to Lúcio and, with the baby in hand, you make your way to the front door so you can wait for the family outside. Lúcio wails in agony, coiling around himself and pleading for a miracle.

His screeching and crying was muffled by the closed door once you stepped out, but you could still hear him. It made this so much harder for you…

When you come back inside after sending he happy family away, you notice the crying had stopped. In fact, it was awfully quiet. Almost dead silent. You find Lúcio alone in his room, sitting in the corner with his tail wrapped tightly around himself.

You bring a hand to his shoulder and try to comfort him, but he is unresponsive. He just… stares. He stares blankly at the space where two walls meet. A thousand yard state that seemed to go nowhere at all. He idly scratches at his scales and murmurs unintelligibly, but you’re sure you heard mention of wanting his babies somewhere in there.

The poor naga was broken. Driven unresponsive and vacant with grief. Your attempts at comfort don’t do much, and you wonder if this can ever be fixed…

You didn’t just lose a clutch of hatchlings. You lost your dear Lúcio as well.