Ember couldn’t stop thinking about the events of earlier that day. She couldn’t believe it. All the work she’d put into raising Burgeon Flare into a proper dragon seemed to be going to waste. All the training, all the connections she helped her make, everything she had given her, Burge threw it all away. And all for that Bedlam pony. Why, if Ember could get her out of Burge’s life for good-

“Ember?”

Thr dragoness was snapped out of her thoughts by her husband’s voice, looking up to find both of them staring at her.

”You’re practically wolfing down your food,” Spike pointed out. “What’s wrong?”

”You’ve been tense all afternoon. Is this about Burge?” Thorax asked.

Ember put down her half-eaten gem and swallowed. They knew her so well; she could never hide anything from them. And while she didn’t like to talk about her issues, she couldn’t help but appreciate how caring they were. Nevertheless, she groaned and pressed a claw to her temple.

“I just don’t know what’s gotten into her! It’s like lately all she does is disobey me. Always sneaking out, talking back, hanging out with that Bedlam-“

“Hey, Bedlam isn’t so bad!” Spike countered.

”Oh really? Then why would she throw away her chance with Inferno for that little ‘friend’ of hers?”

”Ember, Inferno wasn’t very…nice,” Thorax spoke up. “I’m sure she had a reason. Have you ever asked her why?”

”Yeah, I asked her,” Ember rolled her eyes. “She just went on about her bad influence of a friend again. I tell you, she doesn’t know how good she has it. Everything I’m teaching her, I wouldn’t have dreamed of when I was her age. My father would never allow this. I’m giving her all kinds of opportunities that she throws away like it’s nothing! How could she not want this?”

Spike and Thorax exchanged a glance. “Because she’s not you?”

”Yeah, but she’s a dragon-“

”And I’m a dragon too, but we’re not the same at all,” Spike interjected. “You’re a dragon who grew up with dragons. I’m a dragon who grew up with ponies. She’s a dragon who grew up with both. Of course she’s gonna see things differently than us!”

“But I’m her parent! I want what’s best for her, I know what’s best for her. She doesn’t see all that I’m doing for her. Why doesn’t she just listen?”

”Ember, we don’t know everything.” Thorax flew up to meet her at eye level. “But I know where you’re coming from. Of course we want what’s best for her. Have you ever tried telling her how you feel?”

”I’ve told her plenty of times. I know-“

”Not what you know, what you feel. There’s a difference. It’s helped you before, there’s no reason why it can’t help now. And maybe you’ll learn something from her if you take the time to listen to her feelings. Isn’t it worth a try?”

Ember scoffed. “Dragons don’t do feelings.”

A sly smile grew on Spike’s face. “I dunno about that, we wouldn’t be together if they didn’t.”

”Alright, alright!” Ember blushed furiously. “I’ll do it! But how?”

”Just talk to her,” Thorax smiled. “Be honest with her, and it’ll work out from there. Trust me.”

”Alright. But she’s still grounded.”

*

Knock, knock!

”Hello?”

Burgeon Flare turned around, expecting one of her dads to be at the door. But instead, it was her mother. She immediately braced herself for a scolding, before realizing how…not angry she looked. She relaxed a little, her fear replaced by confusion.

”Mother?”

”Hey, Burge. Let’s talk. Just dragon-to-dragon this time, okay?”