Shenanigans!

[phaselocknroll]

Comments

[nostalgiabomb]

[ He's still not sure if he even trusts them, and not for the first time, he has to remind himself that, at the very least, he trusts Maya's judgment.

Eventually, he nods, tries to quell that feeling of distaste at having to make any sort of deal with that guy. ]

We should probably get to work.

[phaselocknroll]

[ She doesn't like it either, but she doesn't see what kind of choice they have. ]

I'm right behind you, love.

[nostalgiabomb]

[ Scouting the area means heading back out to trudge through snow and ice and coldness, and Peter keeps close to Maya as they travel. ]

Don't suppose you know some sort of secret weak spot on dragons, huh? Poke them in the right foot and they flop over like a dog wanting its belly rubbed? Anything like that?

[phaselocknroll]

I... ah. I have never fought a dragon before.

[nostalgiabomb]

[ ... guess who's stopping in his tracks.

Guess who's falling silent for a looooong moment.

Guess who's going right back to tightly restrained panic? ]

This. This is gonna go great.

[phaselocknroll]

[ The sudden panic thrumming through their link actually makes Maya panic for the briefest of seconds. She turns to face him ]

What do you want to do, Peter? Because if you want to run, we can run. I don't care.

[nostalgiabomb]

[ He sucks in a breath between his teeth, tries to get himself under control. ]

Honestly, I dunno. But-- I just-- I mean, I know I hate the cold, but I don't hate it enough that I'd like to be toasted alive, is all.

[phaselocknroll]

Right now, we're only here to observe, not engage. Let's see what we're up against before we jump to conclusions.

[nostalgiabomb]

Right. And hope maybe the dragon is just misunderstood and in serious need of a hug. Got it.

[phaselocknroll]

We'll be fine.

[ And she turns to start walking again, wings unfurling to give him some heat ]

[nostalgiabomb]

[ Fuck yeah, warmth, and he hurries to stay close to her. ]

... Sorry. I'm being kind of an asshole about this, huh.

[phaselocknroll]

I... [ she sighs ] I can understand your concern, truly, but I wish you would have a little more faith in our abilities- in your abilities especially.

[nostalgiabomb]

[ At that, he can only offer a sort of noncommittal hum. This is an argument that's really not worth the effort of having. ]

So, academically, what do we know? Wings, scales, penchant for eating people. Anything to add?

[phaselocknroll]

From what I understand, it had nested further up the mountain, and only really came down to pick off wildlife and livestock for prey. Something caused it to move down here and start picking on the people.

[nostalgiabomb]

My guess? Bigger dragon, knowing our luck.

[phaselocknroll]

If it is, that's none of our concern. Besides, if anything, it means this dragon is a runt and easy to pick on.

[nostalgiabomb]

[ He's quiet for a moment, then-- ]

Can I tame it, then? Please?

[phaselocknroll]

No. You'll get all attached and then you won't want to cut out its heart, and then where would we be?

[nostalgiabomb]

We would be in a place where we'd have a goddamn pet dragon.

Screw that pale guy. We can figure something else out. And we'll have a dragon.

[phaselocknroll]

Are you going to feed it and take care of it yourself?

[nostalgiabomb]

Of course.

[ a beat, then, ] How much do dragons eat, anyway?

[phaselocknroll]

I guess it would depend on how big it is, but probably at least a cow or two at a time.

[nostalgiabomb]

[ The pause is longer this time, disappointed. ]

... Oh. That's-- a lot.

Back to plan A, then.

[phaselocknroll]

Maybe once this is all over, we can get you a dog.

[nostalgiabomb]

Just so you're aware? I'm holding you to that.