Pretty Things

"Oh?" Magnus crooned, turning to look at the new dragon curiously. No fear in his heart or in his feathers.

 

He hadn't expected to run into a creature like this at all, no, he'd not expected it in the slightest. He was usually one with the darkness, as strange as that sounded, and while his lantern illuminated this snow white, beady eyed creature easily, he couldn't help but wonder just why had it come so close in the first place?

 

Or, had he walked right into its lair? The ground was ridged and bumped, grassy where it was flat, and gnarled trees made their way from abandoned cracks in the earth. It was hard to see anything really. 

 

"What beauty do I find in these wilds?"

 

A slow grin curved his serrated beak, and he straightened up, Glassworm by his talons as he half hid, half menaced the creature. 

 

It took a lumbering step forwards, and opened its wide jaws, revealing many a row of sharp, sharp teeth. 

 

It roared a challenge, and Glassworm slid in front of Magnus protectively, staring down the aggressor with both of his skull like heads as they let out their own hellish shrieks in return, making the dragon shy back in complete shock. 

 

It had not expected that, seemingly. 

 

If anything, it was mildly impressive something so small could make such a loud, piercing sound. 

 

It roared a second time, to further intimidate, but despite everything, Glassworm met him head on and caused the polar bear-like creature to take a small step back. It huffed, and glowered at the both of them with mean, small eyes. 

 

The green dragon flared out both its wings and took another step forward, whle the bear, again, took one back. Not seeming likely to want to attack again any time particularly soon. 

 

Magnus hadn't taken his eyes from the pair for a second, one wingtip pressed against a blade within his waist coat, as the other held the lantern higher. 

 

"My, what wonderful claws you have" he complimented. "They look long, and viscous. Your fur is also a pristine white -  I hadn't spotted you even while practically ontop of your den. My apologies, if this fight was my doing" 

 

The bear just tilted his head quizzically at him. 

 

Magnus continued anyway. Showing it some respect, since it wasn't fighting back at all for the moment and hoping it might continue this peaceful back and forth. 

 

"We are just merely travellers passing through. We mean no threat to you - however, it would be lovely to make your acquaintance. I'm sure you are aware you appear to be a bear, yes? Though I can sense the magic within you, so I know you are not. Wonderful creatures, dragons... wonderful creatures indeed. Come now - what do you say?"

 

With a smile, he looked towards Glasswing, who was still in defence mode. He nudged the dark dragon with  foot, and with one head he glanced back up to Magnus, the other staying trained on the perceived threat. 

 

Slowly, inch by pitying itch, he let his wings slower and his jaws click shut. Accepting it for now. Shaking out his wings, he looked from rider to dragon, not sure how to proceed. 

 

The polar beast slowly stood again, and leaned closer to Magnus, exposing teeth in a silent way that let him know he wasn't to be trifled with. And Magnus, despite himself, slowly lowered himself as well until he was kneeling almost at Glasswing's height. Submitting in an attempt to get the dragon's attention. 

 

Perhaps, in his wind and shadow saturated land, he might expand his collection with such a magnificent beast as this one.