for @hellishtrickster, continued from [x]
Benkaiâl stared as the large dragon moved its head towards them, grey eyes wide with awe and mouth open in a tiny âoâ as the scales on the massive creature's body shimmered different colours. They were so pretty. As were the golden eyes gazing down at them.
The wolf-kin tilted their head as she spoke, confused at her question, before they let out a small gasp of horror and shook their head vehemently.
âNo, no, no, no,â they said quickly in that adamant way only a toddler could. âNoâ scawy. Scawy!â They pointed at her leg towards her scales, indicating they had meant âscalyâ and not âscaryâ. Grey eyes looked back up as a lopsided and toothy grin broke over their face. âScawy puppy noâ scawy, siwwy puppy.â
The child giggled at the absurdity of the very idea, but the sound soon turned into laboured coughing. Their face quickly went red as they struggled, the force of the wet hacking sending them onto their bony butt. The fit passed and they were able to somewhat breath again, though their short puffs were gasped and the air they sucked in rattled around their lungs before they wheezed it out.
They were exhausted. The wolf-kin couldn't begin to fathom how long it had been since the explosion. How long it had taken them to make the trek to the Moon Ladyâs mountain top shrine. How long they had spent inside the secret cave that had opened for them. How long they had further travelled to get to the dragonâs cave. All they knew was that they were tired. That their muscles were aching and sore. That the palms of their hands and soles of their bare feet were covered in scratches and blisters from near constant walking or running in both forms. That the mild burns on their back and arms and legs from escaping the fire in the smithy still throbbed even now. That their once white undergarments that had been their fresh pyjamas were signed and scorched and torn, as was the teddy bear they held steady fast in a tiny fist. That they were cold and miserable and hungry.
And most of all, that they missed their Mama and Papa.
Grief rose fast as the dragon asked her second question at the same time that thought flitted through their head. Their bottom lip trembled as tears welled in their eyes, ears drooping as their tail curled against their leg. They shook their head again and dropped their head, hugging their stuffed bear tightly before burying their nose in the soft fur of its head.














