That rings true. They will never be human โ One a dragon, one a tool. But Denning is, in their toolhood, a mimic, and thus the mimic must ever strain for the โidealโ, even as flawed as it seems. For beauty and power by the standards of Lord Nergal. By the standards, also, of living beings. That is their function, after all.
Perhaps the dragon, too, would 'sufferโ less for a function. They see now, perhaps โ A life unmoored and lost, not un-like themself in that dread silence. How regrettable. For one, the morph has a function now, a hand to wield them.
They are wielded. Thus they know no true struggle as Anankos describes it, cannot know of it.
This too, rings true. Perhaps such a purpose would alleviate the dragonโs 'painโ โ A concept just as foreign. But if they struggle not, they do not live. Does Anankos wish for life or not-life? If they do not live, then why do others struggle with discarding them? Why struggle against it? Why cling to 'lifeโ?
Then why did they return to the Isle?
They still do not comprehend. The buzzing in their head, now, assures them that for the moment, they cannot.
They will, however, return to ask more, at a later date.
Not knowing, too, is knowing.
Not knowing means there are gaps to fill. And this dragon, denying humanity but seeming so very human, so very aliveโฆ
A hum, rattling, ricocheting through their voicebox. There is much to analyse and pry deeper into, already. But their processing is already taxed to the limit, faced with so many behaviors and concepts they cannot comprehend, with the constant pressure of pure, pure quintessence, calling them like moth to flame, like a butterfly that has not yet learned to fear the sea.
โi do not understand.โ they confess, once more. โbut that too is valuable. for that, you have my gratitude.โ
They give Anankos a bow, then turn to leave โ Before, ah.
โi will seek you out once more. i would like to know more.โ
'pray do not be discarded before then.โ