Chapter Text
The ship was… chaotic. His nieces treated the Rock as a playground. Climbing up the walls, hiding in crevices, messing with machinery. If left unsupervised they’d wander off who knows where, make messes of areas, ransack the armory, modify weapons and tools, and not to mention jaws and teeth that could breach ceramite and bursting into flames.
Helmets often went missing. You’d either get it back with Fantan changing it how she pleased, found in the oddest of places, or you’d never see it again.
Several liked to turn on all the showers and dance under the water and sing.
Others would dive into the promethium every chance they had. Treating it as a recreational swimming pool.
Supplies were stolen and used for art projects. Various walls ended up with a rendition of an Astartes they clung to or Lion himself. They created sculptures, getting upset if they were moved or cleaned up.
They’d sneak into Astartes rooms and stand over them in the dark, glowing eyes staring until they awoke.
Vents and the pathways used by the Watchers were freely used for travel and hoarding by them.
Any and all cherubs were confined to a single room lest their cindered remains be found.
Dreadnoughts also weren’t safe. As soon as one was spotted the little ones would screech and squeal with delight, rushing to climb upon the ancient one.
It was fantastic and amazing. The first legion had never been so lively. The little ones always ended up in someone’s arms as soon as they entered a room.
They loved Astartes, making little trinkets and drawings to gift to them.
Lion himself had received multiple gifts ranging from little carvings, pictures of himself, treats, and even what they considered to be trophies.
While they still did not speak High Gothic, they had begun to pick up on the language of Caliban.
He walked through the fortress, taking in stock of what was happening. Xuxudon, trailed behind him. He’d begun to refer to her as his little shadow.
In one of the training cages he saw a primaris son scoop up Chichi-Bon from behind.
“NO! Put me DOWN!” She yelled in indignation.
The others in the room laughed at her feistiness.
As he passed the showers he heard singing.
He peered into to see several distracted sons as Druzilla danced, shaking her hips from side to side to side under a shower head.
She sang an unfamiliar tune, “Rock-chiki-chiki-choo! Rock-chiki-choo! Rock-chiki-chiki-choo! Rock-chiki-choo!”
She repeated the phrase as she spun around. A few of his sons using the showers hummed along with her.
He moved onto one of the mess halls where several games of regicide were being played.
Though not fully understanding their words, Bashu was a formidable opponent. Mostly because she was fast and would eat the pieces when her opponent wasn’t paying attention. A set of Astartes took great pleasure in roping in an unknowing brother to play against her.
As he passed the group, she turned and grinned at him while her opponent gripped his head, not understanding what was happening.
He turned to a brother to ask a question and she grabbed one of his pieces and stuffed it in her mouth, sitting there as if nothing had happened.
He turned back and furrowed his brow, “What in the name of the emperor just happened?! Did she move something?”
She did not,” answered one of the regular watchers.
Bashu cocked her head at him, feigning innocence.
As he made his rounds he turned to see Xuxudon maintaining her distance. He motioned for her to come forward. She broke into a run and jumped to a stop next to him.
He spoke his native tongue to her.
“Commander Dante is coming,” He told her.
“Who?” She inquired.
“Chapter Master of the Blood Angels,” he replied.
She frowned, “chapter master. What mean?”
“Leader,” he told her.
“Why?”
“Meet you.”
She nodded. She was the farthest along in learning Caliban. He was able to hold very simple conversations. He was able to more about them. None of her sisters knew the name of their father or understood what he asked. Whenever he asked, all they replied with was “three”.
Xuxudon folded her arms as she walked with him. She came across as arrogant and unfeeling. Just like how he’d been. But in reality she was just shy. She tended to latch onto people and stick with them. She preferred Lion over others.
The Primarch had received word that Dante was near this solar system. He sent word for them to meet. Told them of the Little ones. Perhaps they could help determine who their father was.
He’d also sent word for a chapter of Salamanders to join as well. He suspected being able to burst into flames was related to his brother, the great drake.
Down another hallway he saw some of his sons racing the twins, Quexon and Yuuska.
He turned to Xuxu.
“Do you want to join?” He asked her.
She shook her head and took Lion’s hand.
They went to the strategium deck and looked out amongst the stars. Hapipola and Elnori had found chalk. Using other substances they had come across they created dyes and formed different colors than just the white. Their knowledge of art mediums and screaming them was vast. They were very young and didn’t understand much but crafting they did.
Both were sketching out various portraits along the wall. Multiple sons stopped as they came by, watching them work before moving on to their duties.
Asmodai greeted them.
“The Salamanders fifth company approaches,” he informed the Primarch. “They should be here within the hour.”
“Very good,” Lion hummed.
He hoped their presence could help provide answers.