Melissa Wingspan moved quietly along the shelves of the Roost's stock area, nestled behind the Broodmother's den. It was the dead of night, and the lights that she worked under were the only lit in the entire building. She'd opted to sleep with her sister this night, the large dragoness worrying about a friend, Sybil Heritance, who was off on an assignment with her brother and several other recruits, including Melissa and Shan' ani's own brother, Flare.
She'd stayed with her sister long enough for the dragon to drift to sleep, whereupon she silently slid from the room to stock take, not bothering to dress in so much as a nightgown. It'd not been done this week, and it needed doing so that she could order the correct stocks in; if she didn't order in time, she risked the drakes and her sister going hungry.
Idly she felt through a container of sesame seed packets, to give a boost of iron should drakes need it. She grumbled and tapped the pad she was working with, marking down to order another box.
Her hearing picked up a door unlatching, but she dismissed it; the kitchenette door had a faulty latch and wouldn't stay closed with a gentle breeze.
She then heard the palm reader on the Broodmother's door beep.

Melissa grumbled again, guessing that the cleaning crew had arrived and were doing their rounds. They didn't clean the Mother's room every night, but it was a Monday night, and she had been laying this day.
Yes, there was her sister talking with someone in hushed tones. Well, as hushed as a four storey tall dragon can manage. She tuned out, counting how many boxes of dehydrated chicken they had.

She was totally engrossed in her work, and didn't notice someone walk up behind her, but did jump a little when a jacket was draped over her shoulders.
"You're supposed to be comforting your sister tonight, Broodmistress." The voice of Michael Starfury said from behind her. "Not taking stock."
She sighed in slight irritation. "It needs doing, Starfury. I'd rather my sister and her children don't starve."
"Melissa," Michael began, continuing despite the irritable growl she gave, "I took you to that sauna earlier to relax, and all you did was think of work. You need a break."
"I can't stop, or this place will fall down about my ears."
Michael grumbled, reaching around her and snatching the digital pad from her hand. She startled at this, swiping to get it back from him.
"Hey! Give that back, I need to finish!"
Michael kept it at arm's length from her, before handing it to another anthropomorphic dragon, a green named April. He grabbed Melissa's flailing arms and slapped them to her sides before shouting in her face.
"Melissa! Calm down! April can take the stock; all you will need to do is sign it in the morning and send the order!" He snapped, shaking her a little. "Please, your sister tells me that you've not slept in at least three days; don't make me arrest you and force you to sleep."
Melissa grumbled, not wanting to avoid finishing her work, but April chimed in.
"Broodmistress, your judgement would be impaired if you don't get some sleep; and that would only lead to problems. You could inadvertently harm a drake or egg in your sleep-deprived state; please, let me handle things for a day or two while you recover your strength."

Melissa, now being assailed by two with only her best interests at heart, groaned in submission. Michael smiled a little, pointing April to the shelves.
"I believe she was up to the dehydrated chicken, Broodmaiden April." He said, wrapping an arm around Melissa's shoulders. "Just ensure that you're done by morning and everything will be peachy; I'll ensure she gets some sleep, she's going to be on my bed while I sleep on the couch tonight. Saharah can watch you for me; to make damned sure you get some sleep."
Melissa nodded faintly, slightly depressed at this turn of events. It was almost like she'd been betrayed, but deep down she knew that this was for the best.
She allowed Michael to lead her from the Roost, stopping only to bid Shan'any a good night before Michael had a ship in Earth's orbit site-to-site teleport them to his residence.

He led her through to the bedroom, taking his coat from her shoulders as she sat on the bed.
"Is there anything you'd like before you sleep? A drink, something to eat..?"
She shrugged her shoulders.
"A drink, I guess..." She mumbled. "After a weekend like this last one, it'll have to be a hard one."
"I thought you didn't drink?" He asked. "You said that alcohol gave you heartburn..?"
"Beer gives me heartburn." She retorted. "I'm partial to a nice red wine..."
Michael blinked, not expecting her to have such a taste. He shrugged it off and moved to the kitchen.

Meanwhile, Melissa was breathing deep the scent of his room and looking around interestedly. She'd never been in here before; having been to Michael's home once before, but not able to get a glimpse at his sleeping area. She noted the alarms, set to time zone and Hoven time respectively and there was a playing card set within a frame behind them, the Eleven of Diamonds. She knew not to touch it. Soon enough he returned with her wine, and she sipped it delicately.
Oh how she forgot the way alcohol made her feel...

It didn't take long for her to finish the glass, which had at least two standard drinks in it. It only took that to make her bubbly and she leaned around to him sitting on the bed, putting her head against his chest. She retained enough of herself to know what she was doing, but for once her façade of being a tough girl faded and her real, honest personality shone through.
"Thank you for thinking of me..." She mumbled to him, getting a chuckle that made her smile slightly.
"Someone needs to think of you, Mel." He replied. "You've been cooped up at the Roost for too long, I thought a friendly touch might get you out of your shell."
She nodded, leaning just a little bit more on him and sniffing his scent fresh from his skin.
"You know;" she began, growing a little bolder, "the frequent visits, the little gifts you send my way, the trip to the sauna... any girl'd think you're trying to woo her."
Michael nervously chuckled. "I... I'm that obvious am I?" He asked. "Has it worked?" He added cheekily.
She pushed him onto his back on the bed and straddled his waist, a seductive smile on her lips.
"Let's find out."

Part two: http://www.sofurry.com/view/481200