Learning is the Key

After introductions were done for this latest 'person', Nullawhy was allocated the very next house along 'up the street', a smaller single floored home, but that suited her just fine.

Brian had also asked what skills the finely dressed lady had, and received the reply of 'hunting and tracking', greatly surprising the chief. After only one day, Nullawhy then proved herself, catching a modest sized boar from the forest and handed it over to the local butcher.

"That old codger that distributes the meat - he made comment that my offering was 'a great catch'."

Nullawhy couldn't look any more proud of herself, while Lygawa was properly annoyed, as the other made another visit.

"Although he was suspicious of the way the beast met its demise, so I shall make more care in the way I hunt from now on."

Look at you; adapting to suit 'lowly human' expectations...

Nullawhy smirked over toward the smaller silvery dragon and boasted.

"Looks like I can 'earn my keep' for my stay here."

She really did love to mouth off and rile up to her fellow dragon.

"So why the visit today?"

Mai wasn't just going to let her come over to irritate her housemate, since she'd already have to deal with her bubbling frustrations later.

"I have decided that I will properly cook for myself too, while not burdening anyone else. To that end; I wish to watch you in practice."

That sounds pretty responsible, except for the added jab in there...

"Very well... so you'll just watch or shall I teach...?"

"Whatever you feel will work best."

Lygawa huffed from the table, but her unsaid objections were ignored.

Mai went on to both show and explain a simple meal, from prep to completion, while the red dragon watched intently from the wings, only asking the odd question, but eventually had a good understanding by the end of the evening.

After eating with them again, she went off to her own house, and that's when Mai knew she'd be getting a barrage from her resident dragon.

"She's muscling in on my turf! Why didn't you just give her the boot?!"

She hissed about the kitchen, while Mai cleaned up.

"She's just like she always used to be, back in the mountains, always pestering me!"

"Sounds to me like she wants to be around you..."

"So she can get in my face every second moment... Ah!"

She put her hands in her silver hair and started to pace.

"Are you sure she doesn't want to become friends with you?"

The angry dragon scoffed at Mai's suggestion.

"No way! All we ever do is fight and bicker... since she can't beat me in a proper battle... she must be trying to slowly infuriate me to death!"

Mai mulled over Nullawhy's actions and words; showing concern, worry, and even slight relief and pleasure when dealing with the other reptile - so everything sort of did fit for her to genuinely care about Lygawa, in a slightly strange way.

"She did seem quite happy to be staying so near to us..."

Mai pointed out, bringing Lygawa to stop pacing, while her tail also stopped twitching angrily too.

"You think she could really be capable of being nice though?"

"She is able to do it with others; so maybe you could try to be a little friendlier toward her?"

"Oh!"

Lygawa had enough, so thumped upstairs to fume alone for a little while.

"Guess I'm stuck with the stubborn selfish one."

Mai said to herself quietly.

The following day, there was a little commotion amongst the other villagers, and while Mai hadn't gone out to find out what was going on, a tap on the door came from the small boy, Gill, that Mai had 'saved' before.

"Excuse me, but dad wants you to come to the front of the hall, now."

Mai followed the littler kid back to the center of the usually calm village, to find a small crowd had gathered about. Standing near Nullawhy, who was already there and looked unimpressed, Mai noticed a couple of unknown men chattered with Brian, who looked a little distressed with them.

"So what's going on?"

Mai whispered up to the taller dragon.

"Seems these... excuses for soldiers, have come for a 'seer' person? While the leader here has been very clear to deny the very existence of one."

The two metal clad young men didn't seem persuaded though, but Brian's size didn't sway them either, after things got a little more heated. One eventually proclaimed to the gathering, loud enough for all to hear.

"The local 'seer' has been summoned to the township of Braxel, to assist with a... disturbance. If no one comes forth there will be consequences for this village."

Mai suddenly got a flash of her 'visions'; again a slight jumble of unhappy images, including a scene of a large town house on fire, and some locals from the village looking particularly unhappy.

As not a single person stepped forth or even glanced about, the two out-of-towners briefly convened with one another, but got on to waiting horses and hurriedly rode off without another word to say to the locals.

As the crowd dispersed, Brian spotted Mai, and after a few deliberate other conversations, he eventually 'happened' upon the two ladies.

"So?"

Was all he asked, probably assuming she already knew all the details - which she didn't, all Mai could make out from her latest flashes, she divulged.

"Whatever's going on in Braxel... it'll eventually have an effect all the way out here... so I think I'll go check it out."

"Are you sure, it could be very risky. It still troubles me though; I have no clue how they found out about you, but at least they didn't know your name or any other details."

Brian leant against the nearest building wall, while Nullawhy looked to Mai with an inquisitive look.

"I still think it best that I go."

Another one of Mai's faint inclinations prompted her to go.

"Whatever you need, I'll happily provide."

Brian moved off, leaving Nullawhy to question Mai.

"So this secretive title of 'seer' was given to you?"

"Yes. I haven't told you yet, but I can sometimes see 'flickers of a possible future'."

Letting this newer dragon know wouldn't cause any difficulties, since she'd hardly blab to anyone else about secrets.

"A 'fore-sight' is extremely rare, very valued too. I know of only one elder dragon who had that ability.... but they have since passed."

Guess I'm not getting any insight on how to better handle these from them either, oh well...

"Even-though word has obviously gotten out... can you keep this a secret?"

"None shall hear about it from my lips."

Nullawhy held a confident gaze.

"Can I ask a favour of you then...?"

The dragon gave careful consideration, before giving a small nod.

"Please look after the village, while I'm temporarily gone."

"That would be a simple task I can manage well."

Mai smiled with added relief.

"Thanks."

"And I shall tend to your home in both of your absence."

She already knew Mai would ask Lygawa to accompany her; it was a clear and practical thing to do anyway - going into a potential dangerous situation.

"As thanks; I will teach you how to make the cookies Lygawa loves so much."

"I do not care about such matters... but I will do my best."

She turned away from Mai, but the back of her lower dress wavered back and forth.

These dragons are so easy to read...