Shenanigans!

[phaselocknroll]

Comments

[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.

[phaselocknroll]

I don't see why we couldn't get one, if you really want one.

[nostalgiabomb]

-- Wait, really? [ And it's asked with cautious optimism and a small smile. ] That'd be awesome.

[ omg doggiessssss ]

[phaselocknroll]

Sure. I've never minded dogs. They don't seem to care about what I am as much as cats do.

[nostalgiabomb]

[ He waves a hand dismissively. ]

Cats are the worst, anyway. They always look like they know more than they're letting on, and they're always two seconds away from mauling the hell out of your arm.

[phaselocknroll]

Well, I guess I know where you stand, anyway.

Now all we have to do is make it through dragon slaying and some unknown ritual and then we can get a dog.

[nostalgiabomb]

[ His voice drips with irony: ] Right. Exactly. Should be a pretty easy next few days.

[phaselocknroll]

Consider it incentive.

[nostalgiabomb]

[ As if to himself, ] Just think of the puppy, Quill.

[phaselocknroll]

[ She laughs ]

Just keep telling yourself that.

[ But whatever levity they managed to scrounge up is quickly shattered by the sound of a dragon's roar, and Maya grabs Peter's arm and pulls him behind a nearby rock outcropping for cover, extinguishing her wings as she does. ]

[nostalgiabomb]

[ The roar definitely freezes him in his tracks, so it's a damn good thing when Maya yanks him into cover, seeing as how his instinct was to "pretend to be a statue."

(Ah, yes, statues. A dragon's greatest weakness.)

He hears the flapping of giant wings overhead, accompanied by another cry, and Peter ventures a quick peek out.

... He gulps and goes back into cover. ]

So, ah. I think we can maybe abandon the "runt" theory.

[phaselocknroll]

Oh, yay.

[ Maya chances a look of her own- the dragon's landed nearby, but didn't seem to notice them.

That could be, perhaps, because it's missing an eye. One side of its face is torn and scarred, and the wounds look to be newer. One point for Peter on the "bigger dragon" theory. ]

It's got one hell of a blind spot, though.

[nostalgiabomb]

Oh, good, so its depth perception is shot.

[ Apparently his natural reaction to danger is snark it into submission. ]

What do you wanna do?