A New Tomorrow

Learning of other creatures eating habits? Wasn’t that– kind of odd? But then again, humans in their entirety could be odd at times. And fascinating at the same time. He wondered how much those… schoolbooks knew about his kind then.

“ You aren’t…  surprised about… “ He pointed at himself to finish that sentence.

In his experiance humans were not just accepting that they invite a dragon along. Some don’t even know him to be a dragon even when noticing how he differs from a human… but this person… talking about having to look up what Cas can eat… it just seems like he has an idea of what he was.

“ And… you… aren’t scared? “

“Not in the slightest. If you had wanted to harm me, you could’ve done so already.” He fished his keys out of his pocket, opening the door and letting Cas inside. It wasn’t much of a surprise that the young one was confused. But Leilani couldn’t blame him; Humans and dragons didn’t always have the greatest interspecies relationship.

Inside his apartment, the first thing anyone was bound to notice the smell. Mostly of herbs of different kinds, the strongest being lavender and sage. Potted plants were scattered all around the apartment; On bookshelves, a desk, in the kitchen, on the coffee table... A few were vine plants, but the vast majority were the herbs that he liked to use in spellcasting. Crystals of all different kinds seemed to also be placed around.

All together, it looked more like the space that should be in a cottage. Not an apartment.

Setting his bag on the table, and motioning for Cas to do the same, the witch moved over to his bookshelf. “I grew up in a town called Avena,” Leilani explained, searching the spines of the books until he found the one that mentioned the bestiary. “A very magical place, even if not everyone could use it. Our classes included magical studies, something that you honestly won’t see around here.” The old textbook was flipped open, pages being thumbed through as he searched for the section on dragons.

“Do you need anymore assistance? Perhaps somewhere to rest?” Oro asked Leilani softly, already looking up to the mountain above with careful calculation. He couldn’t leave the man all alone where he could be at risk, that would have made his previous efforts worthless.

“I donno, throwing rocks at people seems like a pretty effective way to get them to leave.”

It was a first for the dragon to enter a appartment complex. Curious golden eyes looking around, getting familiar with the space humans live in. Somewhat distracted for a moment he didn’t answer Leilani right away.

He looked back at Leilani, blinking a little and tilting his head to the side.

“ Old schoolbooks? “

Gil looked at him flatly. “Yes. That is a risk.” He replied, in a glibness that almost more than betrayed his intent for homicide.

“It’s not a matter of can, so much as should.” Gil reasons, as he hefts the infant-sized slab of malachite with a considerable difficulty. “Neither of which are bounds I personally pay close attention to…”

Shylow froze, hand raised and ready to start chucking the big ass crystal she found.  She looked over at the man “Why not?”

“ Nice… to meet you… too. “

Very nice to meet someone this friendly. 

He was quick to follow Leilani, eyes just looking around as they walked. Somewhat trying to remember the way, but mostly just getting familiar with this place. Never really having been to cities for a long time to get a good look.

“ Uhm… I… … never cooked… “ He didn’t know if he’d be any help with that. He knew humans prepared food… Well… “ … but… I can.. cut veggies… ? “Spent enough time around humans to know how to hold a knife. Not like he used that skill much for his own. All he did for food was dive into the water and catch fish. And his teeth did the rest at that point.

Yes, fish could be good. He wondered if Leilani had that at least.

“ Uhm… I… … I like… fish? “

“That’s fine if you’ve never cooked. It doesn’t seem like a skill you really need.” No, a dragon wouldn’t need to know that unless they were trying to blend in. Cas still seemed to be learning how. Or maybe it was something else... “That sounds like a good idea. I won’t ask you to handle the bulk of the cooking unless you feel like you can.”

Thankfully, it wasn’t a far walk to his apartment. They were already heading into the complex itself, Leilani making sure that he kept pace with Cas. It made it a lot easier to talk. “Fish, huh? I can do fish. Sorry I don’t have anything fresh, though...” There was a small pause as he thought, tapping his chin.

He smiled a little, and gave a little nod as he took one of the bags. The humans he had spent time around had taught him that he’d have to work for the things he wanted… It just felt right to make himself somewhat useful.

“ Lei– Leila– Leilani? “ Huh, the name was a bit difficult to repeat… “ Lei! “ He nodded again. Yes, the short version was much easier to say and remember. Then he pointed at himself. “ Cas. “ 

How absolutely precious. And probably a good thing Leilani was the one to find him, instead of anyone else. He would hate to think about what might have happened if someone cruel had managed to find the young dragon. “Cas. It’s very nice to meet you.”