Whom Against I Have Sinned, II

Alexander could not help but let his smile grow wider. It was cute, to be honest. He enjoyed the small dragon's company. He couldn't get over how weird this was just yet, but it was about to get a whole lot stranger for the young warrior. Emerging from the forest, he had been walking for just a few hours more when he could see the forest starting to thin out, and suddenly found himself standing on a riverbank. Before him: a grand city built into the landscape, not unlike something from his world's past times.

He blinked, stared at it in awe. It was beautiful and splendorous, wonderful and felt as though something ancient has sprung to life from the pages of storybooks. Yet, this seemed like too much. A dragon? A strange city? Alexander could excuse not recognizing the forest to memory, but if something like this had existed on the surface...? No, his maps would have shown it. He couldn't have forgotten this. He never could have forgotten something as fantastic as this. He looked towards the river, then back to the city now determined to find a way across. He placed his hand back upon the creature's head. "Don't worry," he told it. "We're just gonna find out what this place is."

Crossing the river was the easy part. He walked up the line of shore and found a bridge that had seen many footsteps by its appearance, and crossed over to the other side without issue. However, the closer he drew to the city the more people he saw. They seemed to cast contemptuous glances at him and he could taste their disgust, their anger, and their rage. He did not know why. For a moment, he looked to the baby dragon and wondered if she was the one these people hated. Yet, as he passed by some of them he heard it spoken quote clearly: "Human."

Human? Alexander? Where he was from, he was almost universally recognized as a monster, not a human. The word was spoken with such contempt as well yet at his first glance enough of these people seemed human too. Closer inspection by Alexander would have revealed differently, but he didn't concern himself with their appearances as much as their feelings. He made for the city gates, propelled by curiosity with a baby dragon wrapped around his neck.

Still dirty, he became embarrassed at his own appearance once he recalled. Shirtless too, he was, and his scars exposed to the world at large. His pants were still intact, delightfully enough, if singed from that girl he had first encountered. They looked indeed strange weighed against all the other pants worn by the others. His were familiar to residents of his world, referred to as 'jeans'. They were tough, difficult to damage, and these jean in particular had been through some punishment. The ugly, deformation of his right forearm, being melded with a chain and a sword dangling off of it likely did not help matters.

This made Alexander pause for only a moment. Even if somebody was selling clothing, he had no money. He was not a beggar and even if he were not at want for clothes anyway. It was only a passing shred of embarrassment which had ensnared him just outside of Draconis. He shook his head and smiled. "Maybe they'll take pity on me," the man laughed. Alexander's first priority was to learn this place's name. He was beginning to suspect the truth that he was not in his home world after all. The name of the city, and the name of the country. It was probably odd for the guard clad in armor for Alexander, shirtless and filthy with his hair long and mated to stroll up confidently, and ask, "Excuse, what is the name of this city?"

The dragon wrapped around Alex's neck got up at the sight of the city. She was most exited about all the new things. She could even hear all the people in the city speaking the same language Alex does. When they entered the city the dragons excitement didn't die even if they were all scowling at her. She could hear what they were saying but didn't know what it meant yet. Some people tried to figure out what race Alex was but most were complaining about a dragon being in their midst. Some were even considering killing the guy who brought the evil beast in.

Alex asked one of the people around where he was. The person took one look at him and began speed walking away. Luckily a young female elf walked up to him to answer his question. "This is the city of Draconis. Now that I've answered your question I'd like you to answer one of mine. Why is there a dragon on you?" She asked.

In this city so many people were talking and the hatchling could hear it all. She was beginning to very rapidly learn the language now, but the noises were too much for her sensitive ears. Her vision was becoming blury and her balance was failing. She fell of of Alex onto the ground. She got up and tried to get back on him but she couldn't even walk straight.

The people's hatred was palpable, their rage and fear betraying them as the flavors of their emotions wafted across Alexander's palate. The man Alexander had taken for a guard simply walked away, refusing conversation as the disdain bubbled up from his mind. Alexander merely cast a glance to the baby dragon, wondering which one of them was inciting such a response. Then, he could hear it. Murmurs about what the newcomer was, that maybe he was human or something more. Whispers about the dragon, how they should die. He started to become defensive, his metal hand balling into a fist. There might be some trouble coming.

A passerby who had heard Alexander speak to the 'guard' approached him quickly afterwards, answering his question in the absent man's stead. "This is the city of Draconis," she stated. Draconis? Alexander had never heard of it, but before he could voice his response she had asked him a question in turn. "Why is there a dragon on you?"

As if to answer, the small creature fell from its perch around Alexander's neck, and he quickly knelt down to retrieve it. "I found it," he replied honestly. "An egg in the wild." He returned his expression to the woman, his hands cupped to accept the infant's attempts at climbing him. "I've never seen such a marvelous creature," he replied gently. Now, his eyes fell upon her ears--pointed. He'd never seen a person with such pointed ears! It must have been a family trait, though she looked very much like a fairytale elf. In fact, at the pace the day was going he wouldn't have been shocked to discover that.

The hatchling climbed up Alex's arm but her balance and vision was still off focus. She ended up almost running right off his arm. To keep herself from falling she tug her claws in and swung upside down. Since he wasn't wearing any clothing her claws would sink right into his flesh.

The crowd of people that inconspicuously lingered around were no longer so bitter towards the man after hearing his story. Though they still kept a watchful eye on the dragon.

Though she didn't show it the elf was rather surprised. Very few people ever survived the wilderness and coming across an unguarded egg was unheard of. "The dragon seems to like you. Perhaps we will find out if dragons are truly evil or not. If it turns out you raise this thing and it down't turn against you or attack other people then we might have to reevaluate our views on the beasts. You look like the wilderness didn't treat you very well. Its a amazing you came out alive. Come to my place I'll give you food and clothing. This is a less than once in a life time opportunity to see a dragon that isn't killing you."

Alexander didn't even really wince when the dragon dug its claws into his skin, and instead he laughed a little bit at the pain. It was familiar, like when a person he cared for a like a daughter came home, and she scratched him with sharp nails when she became nervous. This was something like that in Alexander's mind, and as he caught the dragon he pulled the small creature from his arm, the wounds upon it starting to close up. He tore a small piece of cloth from his jeans to tend to the creature's claws. Alexander's blood was toxic, and if he allowed the infant beast to ingest even the smallest drop of his blood survival would be nearly impossible.

While tending to the small dragon, Alexander payed heed to the elf's words. "Perhaps we will find out if Dragons are truly evil or not." He was tempted to ask, but the implication was obvious. Whereas Alexander had been raised to view the once-mythological creatures as intelligent and noble, clearly these people did not share the same sentiment. He merely smiled at the elf when she said that he would raise it, as this was the truth. Alexander had no intention to abandon the small creature to the world without a guardian.

Then, the stranger invited him to her home. Alexander became apprehensive, though he hide his reluctance. Then again, it could have been a cultural problem. Alexander had not met many people willing to invite a stranger who was fully clothed, clean, and unarmed into their homes-- considering he was the opposite of all of those things, he almost immediately believed this could be a trap. Then again, even if it were a trap, wouldn't he sense such a thing? Lies were negative too, as could be intentions. His body would be lapping up her emotions if there were any relevant.

Placing the baby dragon back upon his shoulder, Alexander nodded at the woman and continued to smile. He should hide the truth about his origins. Claiming to be from hell, regardless of it were true or not would make him seem insane. For now, "The wilderness was indeed trying," he would tell her, "so I would be honored to accept." He did not need the food as badly as the clothing. Alexander could exist off of pure Sin Energy emitted from negative emotions. That was not relevant, though. He could still eat normal food the same as another living being, but nothing would come of it. "If I may ask for my new hostess' name? I am Alexander Meadows." He extended his metallic arm to shake her hand, if she offered it.

Once Alex had placed the hatchling back on his shoulder she wrapper around his neck again not wanting to fall off. The hatchling had now reached the point where she could ruffly understand what people were saying.

The elf extended her hand to shake Alex's. "Its a pleasure to meet you Alexander. I am Melys." Melys said before showing them to her home. "The showers is available if you wish I will fetch some clothing for you and set it next to the door. When your done food will be ready in the dinning room which is that way." She said after entering her house and before taking off to grab some clothing.

Now that they were inside the outside sounds weren't bothering the hatchling anymore. Now that one problem was taken care off another had arisen. The hatchling climbed on top of Alex's head and leaned her head down to Alex's before letting out a sound that sounded like the combination of a yawn and a whine. The hatchling was hungry.

"Melys," Alexander repeated her name. "Its wonderful to meet you as well." Despite his reply, she turned around rather abruptly and he could only follow her through the city, observing the architecture and the people. He noticed quite a few people with pointed ears, even a few humans here or there. In truth, Alexander couldn't understand the point of races other than classification for conveniences sake. The Dissident never discriminated based on skin color or species as far as he recalled.

A product of his environment, truly. Yet, as he approached the elf's home with his dragon in tow he came upon a delightful, rustic town house not terribly far from where they had started. They had walked for just about four minutes when she opened her door and entered her domicile. She indicated showers, which Alexander took to mean there was functioning plumbing. While not terribly surprising Alexander bowed his head to the woman. "I think you for your great kindness," he beamed and vanished into the restroom.

Entering the restroom, Alexander did a quick environment check. He ran his hands on the walls, the door, and even checked the cabinets. He confirmed in the few seconds it took him to do this that there was no threat and moved to the showers, feeling a twinge of guilt for continuing to suspect her, but paranoia was something he had become accustomed to. Being able to sense the emotions of people did not lead him to creating a wall to keep them out. He preferred to simply navigate away from them Despite his inherent dislike, and distrust of people, being around them made him feel... human, something he craved as well.

Then, he felt something climb his head and an object dropped into his face to obscure his vision. The baby dragon's head hung in his face and it made a peculiar noise-- high pitched and with much body, though it wasn't terribly loud. He wasn't sure exactly what was wrong but he reached up to grab the small creature and place it on the sink before him. There were only a handful of things he could do for it right this second, and he went with one of the more obvious. They'd been travelling since the morning, and right now it sat sometime after the midday. The infantile dragon had no food or water during that time, and most certainly needed some now.

He smiled at it. "Food can come in a bit," he said aloud, though mostly to himself. In the sink behind the dragon though he drew water, cold and fresh for the small creature to drink from. "Its not food, but I need you to wait for just a bit longer," he cooed at the thing, stripping his pants and underwear off as he stepped behind the shower door. He didn't intend to shower very long, and as the he turned the knob he was blasted by chillingly cold water as it gradually drew itself to being warmer. He was in the shower for but a few moments, washing the dirt from his body thoroughly and rinsing the grease of months from his hair.

He moved towards the door, gingerly popped it open and retrieved the promised clothing. Unfolding it, Alexander could see that the pants were a tad short on him, but he made no complaints. She even provided him with underwear! How nice. Clothing himself once more, he turned back to the dragon in his new garb. "See? Just a moment."

Alexander looked totally different from before. His long hair was pushed back behind his ears now restored to its golden color. His face was clean, and now the youth behind the hair was revealed. The sharp, defined chin and the round nose while his big, bright eyes of two separate colors seemed to regard the world differently from one another. He was happy to have a shirt to cover his scars, and was even more pleased that it was long sleeved. He had bound Clarent to his arm too, and the baggy nature of the shirt covered it quite well. These were the some kinds of clothes he's seen the people in the city wearing. At least now, he blended in. He knelt back down to the sink, ready to retrieve the infant dragon. "You ready," he asked the baby? "I'll ask her if I can share my food with you."

With that, Alexander headed from the bathroom after he made sure to wipe down the areas that had become wet. He didn't feel comfortable leaving the bathroom a sty, however small. After assuring that it was dry and clean he exited the restroom and gently shut the door behind him. Now was time for him to head towards the dining room. He moved a finger through the air, remembering what the woman had said. "That way," he repeated as he layed a path at his fingertip, and moved through the house. it wasn't big by normal standard, but for a town house it was a fair size. As he entered the dining room, he searched for his host and smiled. "Thank you once again," he told her, "for letting me use your shower." Now that Alexander did not look a sight he felt more comfortable.

Alex picked the dragon up and placed it on the sink. Alex told her food would come soon before drawing some water from the sink. The hatchling actually understood what the man said and decided to quit her whining for now. The young dragon lapped up so much water she didn't finish until Alex was finished with his shower. He then went and put on some clothing. The hatchling tipped her head sideways in a display of curiosity. She didn't understand the purpose of the clothing. Alex then walked over to the dragon to pick her up. She climbed up his arm and onto his shoulder.

Alex headed to the dinning room and thanked his host. Now that he was clothed Melys thought he looked much more human. "Its no problem. I want to do anything I can to help Alexander father of a dragon. I don't want you getting hurt but at the same time I want to see what happens when a dragon is raised around humans. The food is ready by the way." She said motioning to the two plate at the table. One on her side and one on his. They were both salads with lettuce, some spinach, tomatoes, avocados, and ranch dressing. Elf didn't have anything against eating meat but they ate meat for less of it than most people. It hadn't even occurred to Melys to feed the dragon not that she knew what dragons ate. Nobody knew anything about dragons except they were nearly impossible to kill and they killed a lot of innocents.

Alexander smiled at the long-eared girl, a genuine feeling of gratitude sitting upon his face as he took his seat at the table. Before him: an assortment of various vegetables, a fruit. He looked at the elven girl and asked, "Would you think it rude of me if I offered my companion some of this food?" He didn't want to seem rude, and felt it important to ask such a question. Judging by how much water the baby had drank it was quite thirsty, and probably had a hunger to match.

Judging by its teeth and claws it was primarily meant to be a predator, he deduced. However there were instances of carnivores eating vegetation, so why would this be any different? Getting the child to eat a tomato shouldn't be too difficult, so he would start with that if given permission. He then turned asked his host another question. "By the way," he began, "may I ask the country's name? I've never heard of Draconis before today, but I may have heard of the land."

"No not at. In fact it was rude of me to forget about the dragon. Is it omnivorous though?" She asked Alex as if expecting him to know the answer just because he had the dragon.

The hatchling was confused. They kept talking about food but she didn't smell anything that smelt like food to her. The elf girl referred to the plates as food so the dragon thought maybe that was food. Jumping onto the table she walked over to the plate and sniffed it. It didn't smell like food but if they said it was food she was going to give it a try. She took a bite of one of the tomatoes but instantly spit it out. She didn't have anything to compare the taste to but if she did she would say it tasted like a plant. Unsatisfied with the so called food she let out another yawn whine.

"Well I guess that answers that question. I have some chicken in an ice chest. I'll go cook it up." She said before leaving. The hatchling did not stop whining. She wanted food bad and she was extremely unhappy with what was before her.

At the girl asking whether or not the dragon was omnivorous, Alexander could only shake his head uncertainly. "I'm not sure," he spoke truthfully. "Its but an infant yet. I haven't had it long enough to know." The hatchling leapt curiously from Alexander's shoulder and smelled the food on the plate before her, seeming to have understood the conversation they had to some degree. Amazing, Alexander thought. She's already this far along? If he had payed more attention, the clues where evident even in the restroom, where she was able to drink water. They weren't incredibly obvious, but they were indeed there.

Almost cautiously did the child serpent approach the plate, before it took within its maw a chunk of tomato. Almost instantly, its face contorting to disgust (or some similar expression) it spat the tomato onto the table clearly unhappy with the meal. Another cry came from the baby's mouth, and the elf girl rose from the table. "Well, I guess that answers that question," she said. Alexander was embarrassed. Dragon or no, manners were manners and despite being a child the creature was clearly intelligent. "I have some chicken in an ice chest," the elven girl offered. This was a good idea in truth. While he was still preparing to chide the creature, he still nodded towards the girl in approval. "I'll go cook it up," she continued.

"Thank you so much," Alexander told her. "I hope my small friend has not caused you any offense," he called after her as she vanished from the dining room. Alexander turned his head towards the baby dragon and sighed, raising a metal finger and touching her on the nose with it. "You may not like the food," Alexander told the baby, "but its rude to spit." He bore an un-amused expression, though not a severe one. He was not angry at a child. He was scolding, as a parental figure must be. "Sometimes its better to pretend to like something, especially to a stranger who shows us kindness."

He couldn't be entirely sure that the hatchling fully understood him. In fact, he would have been amazed if that were the case. He reached down and grabbed up a salad fork, digging into the plate and getting a hold of some lettuce. Alexander didn't even need to eat, but he pretended to. It wasn't that the food was nasty, but things had started to lose their taste a long time ago. Eating to him was no different than drinking water-- both of which were not necessary, and both of which held no joy or flavor.

Alex placed a finger on her nose. The gesture confused her until she saw his face. Even as a baby she knew he was not pleased. He didn't know how truly gross it was though. If she swalloud it she felt like she would puke it back up and little did she know she involuntarily would. Her stomach just wouldn't be able to process it.

The hatchling felt she had every right to be upset. She had been hungry for quite awhile even though she didn't realize it till she entered the house. To show she was in the right she nipped at his finger her teeth actually piercing a little of the metal. Her agitation actually sparked some electricity around her.

"No, I get it," Alexander replied. "Which is why you aren't in trouble." He shook his finger loose from her teeth, and metal on it began to reform from the small bites. She was trying to show him that she was upset, but apparently lacked the words to communicate. He could taste it, however- her frustration. The apparent lack of food was making her unhappy, and she could could probably do with a nap as well.

"You will be fed soon, but keep this in mind," he told her. "In the future, people will be kind to us, and people will be mean to us," he spoke to her from experience. Because of what he was and the legends surrounding him Alexander had been alone long before he was cast into Tartarus. He only met a few people who ever showed him kindness while fully aware of what he was and knew that by showing them kindness in return, he won their favor and respect. "The ones who are kind deserve kindness in turn. Perhaps, instead of taking an entire mouthful of a new food next time it would be better to take a smaller bite."

The hatchling listened as Alex continued to lecture her. When he was finished the dragon the dragon didn't have any response to his lecture she just acknowledged this was what he wanted her to do.

As soon as the chicken came out of its ice box the hatchling instantly smelled it. It smelled like food unlike the salad but it still didn't smell like it would taste better than Alex or Melys. The thought of actually eating them had never crossed her mind though and if she did she would feel ashamed of it. She would never eat her own kind. The hatchling still hadn't quite grasped they weren't the same. Her instincts told her Alex was her parent which must mean they are the same race right?

The hatchling took off into the direction of the food. She jumped off the table and spread her wings in an attempt to glide but quickly lost stability and crashed. Getting right back up as if nothing happened the hatchling headed into the kitchen. She jumped on the counter and then on the chicken which was about her same size. Melys freaked out at the sight of the dragon jumping towards her. She let out a startled cry while quickly setting the chicken down on the counter and backing up. The hatchling put a paw on the chicken and sent a small jolt of electricity in it warming it up just enough so it wasn't frozen. She then began tarring into it not bothering to take small bites like Alex said. She knew this was food.

As the hatchling lept off the table and took flight, Alexander was momentarily stunned. He reached out after her to grab but missed, and she crashed into the ground with a thud. Alexander jumped from his chair and rushed after the small creature, but she was off like a flash towards the kitchen. "Damn it, Yudi," he called, unconsciously adding the name of a former ward. If he had moments longer to think about it than he had, he might have drawn a few parallels.

As Melys shrieked Alexander rushed to her side, momentarly throwing and arm up in front of her. He wasn't sure if was protecting Melys from the Dragon, but as the small creature became occupied with the chicken he realized he might need to protect the creature from Melys. He had a concerned look on his face as he cast a look towards her. His eye quickly revealed her physical condition, and her fear tasted bitter. "Surprised. Not injured. Thankfully." He shook his head.

"This going to be sudden and stupid, but please forgive me. I'm the one who is charged with the hatchling's wellness and by extension teaching manners." He lowered the arm slighty, casting a weary glance at the elf. "There wouldn't happened to be so called 'experts' on this around here, would there?" He pinned his short term hopes on her response. Long term, he doubted the creature's intelligence would make it hard-pressed to learn. At the moment, it was leaping at people and they were taking it rather personally-- understandably so.

Alexander observed the hatchling's rather clever use of lightning, and even remarked under his breath, "Damn, that's pretty clever." It dawned on him that creature was probably using magic. Maybe that fire... and the girl definitely stopped his fist before with little more than a hateful stare.

As the hatchling tore mercilessly into the already dead chicken. It tasted way better than that stupid tomato. This was the only food the dragon had ever had so she had no idea how much better freshly killed prey tasted. While the hatchling ate it couldn't help but think about what Alex had called her. Everyone had been calling her dragon until now. Alex had clearly called her Yudi and nothing else. Once the hatchling had reduced the chicken to nothing but bones which didn't take long; she decided to ask her father what her name was. "Dragon or Yudi?" The dragon asked in a high pitch child like voice.

Melys was still very frightened when Alex came in. All her fears had just come crashing down on her when the dragon came running at her. "I'm going to my room." She said with a rather upset tone. "And the only people who know anything about dragons are those who have managed to kill them, but they are too important to be seen by anyone." Melys said before leaving out of normal voice range.

Alexander frowned as Melys stormed out of the room, somewhat depressed as she left Alexander and the hatchling alone. Old prejudice had been reinforced for her, meaning that it might not be long waiting that he and the dragon would have to leave. However, something the child had said before had surprised him. Actually, that it had been able to speak at all was surprising to him, but specifically what it said. He approached the infant and knelt down to counter level so that he could make eye-contact with it.

"Hmm, that is a good question," he smiled. "I'd hate to call you Dragon forever, so... Yudi." He's expression was soft as placed his hand near the babe's head to rub it gently. "You are Yudi." Alexander stood up from the counter and kept a gentle smile. "When you are done eating," Alexander told her, "we should go apologize to Melys. She was quite frightened when you surprised her like that. We'll leave afterwards. We have to find somebody."

Alexander wasn't exactly who he was supposed to find, but he knew that they'd killed a dragon. That could have entailed many things, and among those things he'd hoped was the knowledge to raise an infant. That said, it would be extraordinarily difficult and if it went wrong could backfire horribly. That alone was enough to make him want to plan this out. "I'm not exactly sure who that would be just yet," Alexander told Yudi, "but we'll find them."

Alex told the dragon her name would be Yudi. Yudi jumped up and down while repeating her name. "Yudi! Yudi! Yudi!" She said repeatedly. The word just sounded interesting to her but that may just be because this was the first time she had attempted speaking. Yudi then jumped on his head. "Alexander and Yudi." In her excitement the hatchling accidentally discharged a little bit of the lightning stored inside her giving Alex a small shock.

Unfortunately Yudi didn't know what apologize meant. She had never heard that word before and even if she had the dragon needed to hear it enough times to figure out what it meant.

Yudi was now very confused about her name though. The elf talked about someone who killed dragons and Alex talked about finding that person. Yudi thought her name was dragon until it was changed so who was dragon now? She also didn't like her previous name and kill synonyms being used in the same sentence. She didn't know how to ask about her confusion yet so she chose to remain silent about it for now.

The young Dragon showed immense excitement at her new name, and Alexander couldn't help but smile at her joy. Her speech was off, but it was impressive when considering that she had only hatched today. As she leapt atop his head, she continued chanting her name before speaking his too. What came next was a bit of a surprise-- Alexander felt sharp pain surge through his body, and every muscle within him clench tightly-- but only for a second. Just a second of intense pain, and his body jerked for but a moment. The shock was small actually but amplified by ill-preparedness.

Alexander was able to shrug it off quickly enough, but became confused and dazed for just a moment. He stared forward blankly, before looking up towards his head and lightly laughing. "That was interesting," he remarked, turning towards the door. Before he left, he had to clear the air with Melys. She was kind enough to host them after all. Alexander began to walk through the house, and he called out her name. "Melys," said he, "I must thank you but its time for me to depart so that you can stop being afraid." He hoped that this would get her to make a noise, so that he could locate her. It was a deceptively spacious house.

Yudi seemed to have hurt the man and she felt sorry for what she did. She immediately halted her excitement.

Alex called out Melys name while also thanking her and announcing his departure. She actually spoke up and replied. "Come back and visit me from time to time I want to see how the dragon grows." She yelled out to him. This comment upset Yudi. Her name wasn't dragon anymore. "Yudi!" She yelled out in an attempt to tell the elf her name. Melys was quite shocked at this. She came out of her room and went to Alex. "Did the dragon just talk?" She asked. The hatchling was still offended by the use of her old name. She glared at elf before shouting "Yudi!" again. Melys was very uncomfortable with the glare she was receiving from the dragon. "Why is your dragon glaring at me?" She asked. The dragon then replied again "Yudi!"

The Dragon chirping its name at the elf girl was fairly cute, and Alexander couldn't help but chuckle. He looked at the girl and addressed, "Yudi is the name she has been given." He reached up to his head and gave the dragon a pat, "and she seems to like her moniker quite a lot. But in order: I'll be back in a few days for sure; yes she talks; and probably because you haven't said her name yet!" He finished this with a big smile, and then asked her a question.

"These men, these... slayers," Alexander began. "Are there any in the city? I must seek them out. If there is a chance they have knowledge that can help me raise Yudi, I must find them." He kept rubbing Yudi's head gently with his fingers, looking towards Melys with a determined expression.

It hadn't even occurred to Melys that the dragon should be given a name. She felt ignorant and stupid. "Forgive me Yudi." She replied still a little shocked the thing could talk. She didn't know dragons could talk let alone at such a young age.

Melys was glad to know they would be returning but she wasn't very happy about his question. "Alexander in protection of your dragon I have to strongly suggest you don't seek any out. They killed dragons and they will kill yours. Any information they will have will only be about killing them not raising them. Do not put the baby in danger." Melys advised him. "If you must know there is one in this city. He goes by the name of Iofrud and is sworn to protect whichever president holds office."

Alexander crossed his arms, and began to formulate a plan. Alright, so this man only had knowledge pertaining to killing a dragon most likely, which could be useful knowledge to have on hand if they were plentiful enough. He could probably learn to defeat even mighty dragons through non-lethal means if he acquired such knowledge-- of course, that's saying they were plentiful enough to make the risk worth it.

What risk? "This Iofrud... he probably can do what that girl did," he mused quietly. Indeed, if the man could light Alexander on fire from a distance or otherwise attack from range, Alexander might not even get close enough to to him to learn anything. That would be the most important thing-- getting close. He tapped Yudi on the head with his finger, acknowledging the child. She was right. At the moment, Yudi was at too much risk.

"And I'll suppose the president doesn't meet with common citizens-- let alone strangers in his lands." He said this louder, with enough volume for Melys to hear as he contemplated his course of action. As dangerous as it would probably be, Alexander was now looking to make contact with the dragons themselves. Certainly they'd have the knowledge needed, but Alexander had no experience with them. Outside of the people's common prejudice, he had no idea how they were. Apparently, they were carnivorous, vicious, and ferocious by most counts.

"No," he finally responded to Melys directly. "I'd never dream of putting Yudi in danger. In fact, because of how smart intelligent she seems, that would be nothing less than child endangerment." His smile didn't fade, but his eyes grew much sharper and came alive with drive. His plan was starting to form, but still he needed something. So, he asked. "I haven't been a traveler here for long," Alexander told her. "In fact, I'm quite foriegn to this place. I've encountered some strange abilities-- a girl who has been able to create fire at will and stop my body with her eyes." He let that sink in. "I can only describe this as some kind of... magic. Tell me: are there any teachers of these strange powers within the city?"

First, he would need to locate such a person. He didn't need a lot of magic. He already had an idea of what would be good: some kind of barrier to keep the distance off of him. He still had no idea if this 'Iofrud' had the same abilities, but having a countermeasure in place was not a bad idea. That was only the first step however. Then he needed to find a teacher that wouldn't freak out over a dragon. Maybe a blind one, or an idiot, or preferably one that was not fearful of them.

"And I'll suppose the president doesn't meet with common citizens-- let alone strangers in his lands." Alex said. "Yes I'm afraid the president doesn't see anyone who isn't famous. Let him know you have a dragon and he would see you, but I highly advise against that." Melys replied. Melys only listened to his other comments until he said "In fact, I'm quite foriegn to this place. I've encountered some strange abilities-- a girl who has been able to create fire at will and stop my body with her eyes." "Thats odd most people who use mental magic can't use or have great difficulty using any other form of magic." If Alex would have told her the magnitude of the flames the girl he had met created she would've been even more shocked. "I can only describe this as some kind of... magic. Tell me: are there any teachers of these strange powers within the city?" This confirmed to Melys that he had no magical talent. This whole time she had been hiding her true emotions because there were some mental magic users out there that could read thought or emotions and Melys didn't want them to come out. Now was finally her chance. "Luckily for you this city has the best mages collage in the world." She then told him where to find it. "You can't go there with Yudi though. If you like I can offer to watch your dragon."

Despite what the girl may have believed, Alexander was not a mind reader. He was not an empathizer. He was not a psychologist. He could not read her mind, or her intentions. But, he could discern them. Alexander associated emotions through taste, and while it was quite easy to throw him off at the surface, the negative thoughts always fed him. They always quelled his hunger. They always alerted him to the ulterior motives of others.

Alexander could feel the hair on the back of his neck stand on end. He didn't change his face or his tone, and through his smile was able to bite back his sudden burst of aggression. "There is no need for that," Alexander waved his hand at her. "This city is in my interests, of course. But... I have nothing but time. I can wait until Yudi has grown a little stronger. At least, strong enough to defend herself," he chuckled genuinely, "and smart enough to hide at my asking for more than a few hours. Why, it would almost be an adventure."

Alexander saw that it would likely be better to retreat to the wild for now. Sure, it would be a harder life, but Alexander would be able to make the occasional visit into the city for supplies they could not procure on their own. Through hunting and gathering they would have plenty to eat he imagined-- at least until Yudi got bigger. But with Alexander's peculiar diet, it was really hunting done for Yudi's sake alone. No matter what though, he taste something in the air that he wasn't used too, and it was making his throat sore with anxiety.