At least Gore was performing his duties without her having to give him orders; again protecting her from the rocks launched in their direction like he had done with the arrows. These people could either learn to aim better or not try at all to save themselves the embarrassment of missing a creature as large as Gore was.
The sound of the projectiles hitting the dragon’s body and wings was quite audible and she could not help but glance back over her shoulder to find Gore’s head bowed almost to the point where his snout could have touched the ground. There was also a look in the dragon’s eyes; one that Rosalie could not help but shrug nonchalantly at before turning away again. It did not concern her, she knew, and she did not think that she would waste her breath pointing it out. “Good save...” she simply said. As long as the lizard was still able to travel after this pelting which may -or may not- have been what he had deserved, that was all she cared about.

Despite Gore’s offering to complete tasks that would earn some income, Rosalie did not want to be in his debt - probably not anymore than he did with her... “I’ll see if there isn’t anything at an affordable price.. then something will need to be worked out. Hmm.. I’ll think about that later.” She said in reply. Rosalie would rather let her troubles be washed away with the auction night that has come to pass because all she wanted at the moment was to look ahead and forget about the hole in her pocket. If only it were that easy.

When Gore had mentioned something about knowing how to prepare culinary dishes, the girl could not help but look at him briefly with a trace of doubt in her expression that she did not bother to hide. He could very well poison her if he wanted to. ’Hoho! These mushroom are safe’, he’ll say! Rosalie thought, resisting the temptation to roll her eyes. Yeah, until I end up buried somewhere underneath them. I bet he wouldn’t even take my corpse to Sigmund and Eric... Ugh.. Those two are the very reason I’m here in Desdemona in the first place! She tilted her head, still keen on keeping her thoughts to herself. Never mind that.. It makes me wonder just who this beast’s previous owner was... I can’t believe that he’s been tamed before. Hehe, a monster like him?! I bet he mauled his previous owner.. just like he’ll most likely do to me if I’m not careful... Rosalie was clearly thinking back to when Gore had licked his lips while she was reaching out toward him. That was not a good sign to her or to anyone. Even if he was play- hang on a minute.. Rosalie started pacing around the dragon for a bit, looking him up and down warily, a habit of hers when trying to solve a problem and weighing up her options, is this monster always this.. serious? I wish I was stuck with one that was a little more... lively. Would things have been more interesting if that were the case?
___

Getting the saddle on Gore surprisingly lacked the difficulty Rosalie had been expecting. The Blood Dragon was quite compliant - which was something that was expected of a ‘dragon slave’ as one in his situation would commonly be referred to - but this obedience, in Rosalie’s opinion, was questionable. She had at least expected to become a bit irritated, but was fairly satisfied it went well. It made her wonder, though, if she would feel more at ease if she were arguing with him.

“Gore? Do you remember the way your captors had taken in getting here.” Rosalie asked the dragon as she sat on the saddle and shifted her weight about, testing the sturdiness of it. She would also lean her weight back and give it a bit of a tug to be sure that it would not slip off mid-flight. It definitely felt a lot more comfortable and assured her that she would not fall off as easily. Craning her head to the sky, Rosalie took in a deep breath, gave the dragon the okay, and hunched low as the air rushed around her during their ascent. Even as their speed had evened out, Rosalie still did not relax, remembering the last time the ground had come up to say ‘hello’. The view, though, was absolutely amazing. The early morning light lit the calm ocean water, presenting it with a certain kind of warmth that Rosalie could almost feel even at this height where the wind wrapped around her and played with her hair. All this, combined with flying at almost the same height as the airships almost got her to relax out of awe. Almost.

She had never, in all her years, been on an airship before, but getting to see them in the skies and not just while she was on the ground was quite the sight for her in her opinion. “Wow... hey, look at that!” Rosalie leaned forward in her saddle, pointing eagerly to the airship closest to them, forgetting herself in her excitement. “I’ve never been on one before or seen one this close. Hmm.. I wonder what makes it run... maybe magic could be involved as well... but then... that wouldn’t be right..would it? Hmm.. Hey, Gore? Back then, was magic quite... prominent..?” The girl was, at this point, openly curious. Thinking back to the strange duo she had seen three weeks ago, she wondered how they were able to use magic so efficiently like that without much aid of technology. Perhaps they were gifted or were they using some sort of machine that focused the wave of magic?

A strange, distant whirring noise reached the girl’s ears after a bit. The sound was familiar and yet Rosalie was unable to put her tongue on it. Where had she heard that before? She began frowning, straining to hear something more that would tell her what it was. It was quickly approaching, that much she was sure of. “What... is that?” She asked herself in a tone that verged more on unsureness rather than annoyance. Less than seconds later, she was able to distinguish it as something that was shooting straight for them. Whether the rider of the vehicle was trying to get them to fall out of the sky or was playing chicken, she was unsure.

Razors, they were called, for their capability of gliding through the air with great ease and agility. These motor vehicles had a sleek and elegant design and it had been one of the things that had drawn Rosalie in the night before. Rosalie looked behind her, immediately hunching down so low that she looked like she was hugging the saddle, trying to make herself a smaller target. If Gore did not veer to the left or withdraw his wing, he would most likely be thrown off balance. Rosalie did not want to kiss the ground. That happening once was one of the most terrifying things she had ever faced. “No.. please not again..,” she whispered, steeling herself. Had Gore heard the target before she had? Was he aware of it? Only seconds ago, she was in awe. Now, fear had taken hold of her and had her tongue-tied, unable to say anything to the Blood Dragon.

Gore had been in the sky for only a few moments before his head turned to take in everything that was happening around them. The Airships were multiple sizes, some looked to be equipped for war while others looked like cargo vessels and even transports. With a huff, he craned his neck, looking back at his rider that seemed to question how the old world was versus the new one.
Magic..Magic had been a practice that was around for a long time, not all of it as bad as the type he had witnessed three weeks prior, as well as centuries before. that type was specific. When he had encountered sorcerers in battle, they often didn't have the type of potency that the dark magic those 'Void' members wielded. Instead was more controlled then it looked to be today. Humanity grew lazy over the centuries.
With a quick nod, the Blood Dragon started to move closer to the airships, slowly flying next to them to match their speed. He made sure not to make any aggressive movement, even if he had the urge to try and do something, the sight of kids moving to the windows and the sides of the airship to see him made his eyes soften somewhat.

Looking at the back of the airship where there looked to be propellers as well as some sort of engine with runes on it, Gore just scoffed at the sight. Runes were something humans were never meant to find..
Letting the airship fly by, the Dragon simply looked back at his new mistress, tilting his head at her. Did she really think that he couldn't find his way back? They kept him locked up for a majority of the trip! With a faint grumble from his massive jaws, the Blood Dragon nodded. That is until he heard something around. He didn't seem to turn his head or move. As soon as the bikes were about to ram into him, Gore rolled out of reach. The second the Dragon managed to recollect himself out of such a move, he took off after the riders. The bikes seemed rather fast when they glided through the skies..but Dragons were the one who ruled the skies. Angling his wings and tail, the Ancient Dragon started to close the distance between him and those on the bike. That is until a blast of energy came from the bikes, making them go faster. With a huff, Gore wasn't going to be defeated that easily. Looking up at the skies, he quickly ascended a bit. The bikes had increased the gap by a decent amount until the Blood Dragon furled his wings, diving downward hard. Once he was back around the same height the bikes were, he rolled and flapped his wings, launching him at the Razors. Within moments, the Blood Dragon was flying next to them, even with their engines blaring as hard as they could. With a huff, the Dragon snapped his jaws at them before going faster, outplaying they very machine that his mistress was going to buy instead of him.

After a few moments as well as the two bikers crying that their machines were defeated, Gore started to fly back to where his mountain was, only following the path to keep her home.
It didn't take long for Gore to need a rest, landing near a river bank in a meadow. Moving over to the water, he dipped his head into it, shaking it around inside the river bank, coming back up with several fish in his jaws. Snapping on them, he looked back over at his owner, using his tail to wrap around her and set her down. This time he seemed more gentle about it.
When she got down, she could probably see how badly his wings were, only..the wounds he had weren't from the attack. They looked as if they were done to him without much of a fight. 'Breaking' him, may have actually been more so breaking his body than his will.

Leaning his head down toward the ground, the ancient beast let out a wave of fire from his mouth. Once he created the small campfire, he started shifting into his human with a whimper of pain from his wings moving as they did. Looking at his owner, then at the river.
"You had asked such a thing as magic being around whilst I was still a threat to mankind..aye, it was..There has been different kinds of what you call magic..One of the elements, Hah your kind attempting to master fire amuses me..but they held it and it was common. Sorcerers held this ability to control and used it to herd my brothers and sisters where they wanted us to be. Spiritual is another. Nay as common, nor should it be underestimated. It allowed healing, as well as a number of other, more questionable things. Dishonor falls on those whom use such. Manipulating the spirits of ancestors is a shameful act..Humans are odd."
The Blood Dragon stopped talking for a moment, but there was another magic he hadn't mentioned.
"Lastly, there is Dark Magic..I had only encountered it twice, and..I only know of two things of this specific power. One is that the fire held within my heart is what keeps it at bay when I am against such a thing. And two.." Looking at her, The Blood Dragon shook his head. "Many things have happened in all my years among the realm. Many things that your kind has no right to obtain. Dark Magic, is the worst thing you could have discovered. Something lies within such power..I have felt it each time it has been used against me. When my brothers and sisters were taken from me, whatever was within such power, clawed out to me...Just as it did when the pair of humans struck me down.."

The Blood Dragon seemed to tense up at the thought, getting lost in his own head. After several moments, the Blood Dragon just shook his head and sighed.
"What you call magic, was also more controlled in the days of old..Your kin have grown lazy. What is, is nay better than what was. Machines over skill and effort? I fear for the future of the realm."

Within a moment, the Blood Dragon had dived into the river, springing up with two fish in his claws. Moving over to his mistress, he looked at her.
"Are you hungry, mistress? I can make you something to eat." Moving away from her, he started to remove the scales from the fish with ease. It was obvious that he had some talent at this considering that none of his kind actually needed to do this. Each of them, no matter their build? Had a sharp set of teeth that could rend most things apart, let alone a tiny fish.
When he was done, he stood up and went to find two sticks, pushing them into the fish, skewering both. Heading over to the fire, he stuck the stick into the ground on the outside of it, letting the fish cook.
The Dragon seemed to do things rather quickly, already finding a number of spices from plants. Though he had no mushrooms, like her thought suggested he would.

When it was done, he pulled them off and looked at them, tilting his head with a nod.
"Aye, they look rather good. Even if I had not made such a thing in centuries, I still like to believe that I hold the talent well." Holding it out to her, he smiled. He could already tell that she thought he'd poison her.
"Do you believe I'd poison you mistress? Hah, have your stories of me truly missed who I truly am -that- much? Poison is dishonorable and used by cowards..If your stories were so convoluted as to dismiss who I truly am, are you certain the tales your kind tell you are actually accurate?"

After the meal he made, whether she ate it or not. He would shift back and help her onto his back. The Blood Dragon resisted taking off immediately, turning his head to look at his wings. He flapped them once, extending them to get a feel for them. With that, he gripped the dirt beneath him, launching himself up before heading toward his mountain once more.

Eyes opening slowly like heavy doors, Rosalie reluctantly leaned forward and peered out at her surroundings, realising they were quickly gaining on the bikes despite the burst of speed that had put quite a distance between themselves and Gore. The very first thing that entered the girl’s mind was that they weren’t falling like she had been expecting them to, the dragon still soaring through the air with strong control over where they were going. “Still.. alive..,” She stated very slowly as if she needed a verbal confirmation to even believe they really had not crashed, yet. As they passed the bikers, Rosalie turned her head, trying to get a glimpse of who they were but finding herself rather disappointed when she noticed they were of course wearing helmets. However, one of the drivers, upon feeling her gaze lingering over them, would momentarily lifted their visor, eyes sparkling with smug amusement. It angered Rosalie that they would think to fly into Gore and her to get them out of the sky - even more so when it seemed the weren’t even sorry for trying to kill another person. If she ever found out who they were, she wasn’t going to let them off easily.

When it came time to land, Rosalie was all but balanced, almost staggering a bit when she was gently propped on the ground by Gore. She believed she hid her disorientation well, sitting herself down almost immediately after a few steps, though she could have been wrong. The speed Gore had gone just to best the soaring machines had given Rosalie something to think about and though that display had given her an idea of how much control Gore had in flight, she could not help but long for the sleek and elegant machines still. She had always had a fascination for machines even if she would not admit it to anyone - even Setton had dismissed it as a temporary hobby that she would soon forget about at least a week after she had picked it up. That was just like Rosalie, though; becoming completely interested in something and devoting much of her spare time to it only to drop it a while later. Things that kept her attention for long was rather scarce compared to the many things that come and go in her head. How long Gore would last before she tired of him? Perhaps a month at most.

A quiet, shaky sigh escaped her as she looked down at her lap where pale hands gripped tightly at the material of her clothes. Her hair was a bit of a mess from the flight, but it was nothing that could not be remedied by quickly combing her fingers through it a couple of times. Biting her lower lip, Rosalie closed her eyes, thinking to the moment Gore had rolled out of the way. Though her heart still pounded in her chest, the anger she felt towards the bikers was starting to quickly dispell her shock. “Don’t let me see them again,” she hissed lowly. With a dragon, it was tempting to give the order to chase them down and make them apologise, but that was as much of a waste of time as was her thinking about the two idiots. Instead of brooding over it, Rosalie forced herself to look up and warily study the crimson beast, aiming to distract herself and see if that helped.

Her gaze first trailed over his snout, then horns only to linger over his wings. The wounds he had sustained on his wings seemed recent but not so much that it would be from the bricks and stones thrown at him. Was it from the battle three weeks ago or was it from captivity? Judging by last night’s display, however, Rosalie was leaning more toward the obvious. If Gore had not harmed anyone the night before and this morning, did that mean his captives were able to break him? She hid a smirk at the idea. She hoped so as she believed it would make threatening to torture him much easier.

While Gore spoke about magic in answer to her question, Rosalie would occasionally incline her head to show that she was listening even though her eyes would wonder to her surroundings out of habit. To her, Gore seemed rather condescending and it irked her a bit, but she decided to let it slide for now. These ‘brothers and sisters’ he talked about interested her a fair bit, though. Were there more like him? More who shared his crimson scales or did he refer to the dragon kin as a whole? Rosalie craned her head back, pursing her lips. He’s confusing.. she mentally judged him. Dark Magic can’t be that common... and.. “Even if we’ve become lazy as you say, technology has its advantages and it’s much, much, much better than having the rest of us delve into Dark Magic.” Rosalie calmly retorted as soon as Gore knocked down the idea of a world based on technology. She still believed some people put effort into what they do, and having machines around only served to aid more people who may be at a disadvantage when it came to magic. She was no expert on the matter, but anyone could see that technology has benefitted many people. Perhaps the girl was just biased. “Then again.. your first taste of magic hasn’t been all that pleasant, has it?”

Rosalie merely watched Gore with discreet interest as he prepared a dish out of his catch, leaning back when he offered it to her, not even reaching out to take it. “Accurate or not..” Rosalie said, eyeing the skewered fish, “the people you’ve been around so far have already decided what you are..” She matched Gore’s smile with one of her own as her eyes fluttered back up to meet his, “or.. am I wrong, Blood Dragon?” To not even finish a meal, let alone take a bite when she really was hungry was a waste of food, but if she had been too trusting, she would soon find herself at the other end of a blade. She would hold out as long as she could. She believed she could do it. Standing, Rosalie dusted herself off and moved away from Gore, waiting for the time to depart again a short distance away.

__

“You’re kinda strange, you know; I wasn’t expecting you to prepare something.. edible..” There was a slight tone in her voice when Rosalie said the last word, making it sound like both a statement and a question. “Anyway,” she stretched slightly, not yet confident enough in the saddle to move too much, “once you get me home, I’m going to introduce you to the two who sent me out here. I bet their expression’s going to be priceless.” Rosalie hid her excitement behind a humourless chuckle. In truth, she couldn’t wait to see Sigmund and Eric again despite being unhappy that they had basically kicked her out of Kalandor and had sent her all the way to Desdemona. For now, she could only ask that Gore be sensible about where they landed. Perhaps she could send a message to get Eric and Sigmund to meet her just outside of town but seeing as they still had a fair bit to go before arrival, she would wait until then.

Once Gore had heard he speak in the way she did, Gore's eyes gleamed slightly.
"I could go find them if you wish mistress..Dragons are indeed great hunters, nay that it shall take such to find those two..Those contraptions are loud, and they hold a strange smell to them..I am certain that finding them would take only a bit of time..but, as you wish mistress. If they force their way to us, I will cover your eyes and make them cry in fear."

The Blood Dragon had seen the world change and shift into what it had become in the present. How the day of man was once ruled by the strongest arm or quickest reaction. Now? It was who held the most coin in their pockets. Who could afford the strongest tools. The proof of that was when he engaged that hunter in the 'battle' 3 weeks prior. He held a blade unlike anything he had seen, his skills on the other hand? Were pathetic to say the least. In the Ancients eyes, he saw far greater men come and try their hands against him, men who were able to move as if they were the water in the rivers themselves. To be able to dodge and strike back as if they wanted. Those specific scars? Gore wore with pride. Never one to forget a face of those he has felled, those few that came to him? Who were exceptional? He considered greater than their kind. They deserved to be remembered and honored.

"Whatever you may call those contraptions, they make your kin feeble and childish. In the days of old, the men whom gain the greatest amount of skill held the sway of battle. Many men as well as women have fell in the fight against me. To claim me..I remember those from centuries passed far greater than I do those from merely moons passed. Aye, The contraptions help those with disadvantages, though your view of such a claim and my view are far different, mistress..Disadvantages are what one is born with. Many hold them in stride. Though to say waging a bout with me? Hah..'We are human, that is our disadvantage.'. The thought makes me chuckle..I wear the scars of far greater men with pride, over those that granted some order to propel their weapons at me, weapons with minds of their own.. There was one man whom nearly ended my life with -true- wit and talent..That human shall nay ever be forgotten, nor did he require your 'toys'."
After he had finished speaking, Gore took a moment to reflect on what he said. Knowing he shown some sign of disrespect toward the girl? The Blood Dragon didn't care! She hasn't shown him an ounce of kindness besides saving him. Since she had been his owner, there was always judgement in the girls eyes. As if her believes were fundamentally the truth. -That- bothered the 'Monster' in front of her.

Whether or not the wounds that the Blood Dragon wore now were from him being captive? Gore would never allow such satisfaction to fall onto people. Perhaps there was some other way that he became as 'obedient' as he was.

The second Rosa mentioned of his first taste in magic, Gore had stopped, looking down at his shoulder. A faint smile came to his lips, shaking his head.
"Hah..The first encounter with what you call magic was..long before Humanity developed. Dragons used to hold reign over the realm. We were free..we held a hearth even...Among one of many trials, I encountered something..brilliant.." Stopping there, he coughed and shook his head. "The first time I had encountered your magic was before I had been captured by humanity for the first time. The skies turned dark and lightning fell from the sky, hitting my brothers and sisters and even me. We held no clue of what was happening, though we all could sense something was off. We soon found a coven of witches attempting to bring us down..All of us were enraged at how they abused the ancient 'magics' of old. It had been sloppy of them to come without a garrison of Knights and warriors behind them.."
The smirk that held on the Dragons face widened before he went on his way to make her something to eat.

"Your kin's opinion of me matters not. They shall decide and judge as they will, without ever truly knowing what they are judging. Nay were they around in the days passed, nor are they here now..You would be wrong, mistress. Dragons are capable of things such as humans are. Regret is our greatest enemy, and unlike humankind? We aren't objects or tools, we hold our own emotions and concerns as well as many thoughts. It is alright though, if they are to decide what I am? It is only fair. I have decided what your kind are long ago."
__

Once she was on his saddle, he looked back at her with a faint grumble. Rosa's words -always- seemed to be rude and condescending. Did she really think so little of him? Gore didn't expect respect, though being judged by his own master/mistress? That seemed rather off. Owning him meant that she was going to be with him for quite some time.
Hearing that they would be meeting the ones who sent her out on this dangerous journey, the Ancient Dragon wondered what they were like. Probably crude and smug like the rest of humanity. Sending a girl out into such dangerous places like a possible battlefield? Were they mad!? Or perhaps the stories of what he is were starting to lose their hold over the people of the realm.

When his mistress stopped talking, they were off and heading toward his old home. At first it was an easy flight, though dusk quickly began to befall them. Gore hadn't slowed at all during it, though his gaze did flicker back to his owner. Did she grow tired easily? Even if she was worried that he could take her life, -now- would be the time to do it. It was dark, they were in the middle of no where.. No one would know. The thought never came to the Blood Dragon. He just carried on his way toward the mountain.

After several more breaks, Gore had finally landed by the mountain he once resided in. With a quick shake of his body, the 'lizard' looked around at the faint blood marks there were. Tree's that were knocked over and splintered and the scorched earth that lay before him. With a huff, the Dragon started to walk toward the town, wondering what was going to happen next. He wasn't sure whether or not they would revolt at seeing him, but he would follow whatever Rosalie said to make it easier for her to return home.
Of course if things got too bad, they could hide that he was a Dragon. It wasn't completely impossible..Wrapping his claws up and putting a rather large hat on him could do it. Though his eyes could probably give him away..
Once they got close enough, Gore set her down gently, looking at her. He waited for her orders. Did she want the two brothers to see him in Dragon form first? Or did she want to surprise them while he was in human form, and to jump out and shift when they least expected it? Either way, he was ready to do both.

The devastation from three weeks prior was still evident judging by the faint outlines of trees standing broken and lonely in the gloom. They were still eerie reminders of the battle and those who had fought in it, and if the girl closed her eyes, she could recall the scene clearly as if it had passed not a night ago. At least Rosalie wasn’t alone in this part of the forest and she didn’t have to walk the distance herself. Instead of talking as Gore made the walk down the battlefield, she watched him with a frown, feeling like she could burn holes through the back of his head if she stared long enough. It brought back feelings of anger at her failure to get the information from Glenn and it was this winged lizard’s fault! Was his sword still around here? Perhaps not, but she was content to entertain herself with the thought.

As soon as she was set down on the ground, Rosalie found a nice little spot to sit in, tucking her knees in close against her chest. “I’ve got a question...” Rosalie would start when it grew too quiet. She would ask him a few things related to the past, but the question she wanted to know for the night was whether he enjoyed killing people the way he did. Walking through the old site had prompted the question. “Do you feel any regret knowing that many of those hunters had families to return to?” Her eyes narrowed on him, “Many of the kids were too young to understand that their mother or father or both weren’t coming back.”

Of course, it would get darker and the darker it got, the more anxious she became. She had sent Sigmund a message earlier, hoping that he would get Eric to accompany him, and as there was no reply to indicate whether or not he was making his way towards the outskirts of town, she was starting to wonder if it was better that she wait or fetch him herself.
The atmosphere was relatively calm - which was a good thing as that meant that the residents had not spotted the crimson legend’s approach amongst the dark backdrop of the sky. It was also starting to become a lot cooler now that the sun was setting itself to rest and to keep warm, the girl would rub her arms every now and then. With every minute that passed and as it got darker, she was half tempted to march into Kalandor herself. If she were to do that, though, would she miss the brothers along the way? Rosalie hummed in thought, glancing back to Gore for a few seconds. What orders should she give him?

Her gaze fell to ground, the girl mumbling, “where are they?..” How long were they going to leave her alone with a dragon who clearly disliked technology? It was not much of a problem to her, but the way he referred to it as merely toys used to prod people and claim lives without a fair fight did not sit too well with her. Technology, if used right, could save lives. Sure, magic does the same, but what happens if one was clearly unable to use it? All they were doing was adapting to survive in a world where ideas shaped the everyday. Gore could reminisce all he wanted about the olden days as long as he wasn’t blinded by it. Those days were history. You would only hear about those true tales of honour and valour in old textbooks or even story books. Today? Few people have the courage and wit sharper than a blade. As long as she was interested in him, and believed that she would get something out of her investment, Rosalie would make him see that and guide him.. to an extent.

She stifled a yawn as she started to rub her eyes. Whenever Gore had stopped to rest on the way here, Rosalie would stretch after sitting so stiffly in the saddle. She really wasn’t used to it and she felt strange; like she was almost floating despite being firmly planted on the ground. It must no doubt be from being in the air for almost a whole day added with the inability to relax around Gore. Rosalie was always sitting upright, always watching him warily. Since the dragon had not done anything to harm her -yet- the girl really was beginning to wonder if she had wasted her time and energy being so on edge like that.
Her phone flashed and she glanced down momentarily, chuckling tiredly as she put it away. “Anyway.. The two that I wanted you to meet are a bit strange, but you interest them a fair bit. They’re not hunters or anything like that.” she added, smirking lightly, “no.. of course not. The reason why I was staying at Desdemona was because they had heard the auction was going to take place there. Hmm.. ‘the crimson legend is bound to have a new owner. Would you get us some pictures as a souvenir?’ was what they had said.” The girl then huffed, “how, then, would you greet two people wandering through the dark, I wonder. I’d like to see that, Gore, but.. be sensible about it... don’t let them run off. That’s your task. You’ll know them when you see them.” By this time, as tired as she was, Rosalie’s mind would always drift and wander from the dragon to the two brothers, and then to something that would fill her stomach. Hunger was gnawing at her and all she wanted now was to make herself a big meal. Perhaps she might be able to scoff everything down. At the thought, she covered her stomach with her arms, afraid that it would growl in front of the dragon as consequence for refusing to eat what he had made for her. “I wonder how long it’d take them to get here..,” she grumbled to herself.

When Rosa had been set down, the Blood Dragon started to gather wood and began piling it up. Large branches were all over the place from the conflict so it wasn't difficult. Once he set that up, he blasted it with his fire, lighting up the immediate area in the flame-lit glow.
The question made him stop and stare at her. Minutes passed and the Dragon just seemed to tense up, gripping the dirt beneath them with his claws. Shifting back, the Dragon moved to the fire he made, crossing his arms. All she did was think of him as some monster. Was it easier that way!? The world was black and white, there were no other area's. You were either evil or good in her eyes, right?!
"Did your kind care if they invaded my hearth.. For nothing more than coin!? I had done -nothing- to your kin for centuries and -still- you obsessed over my capture.. Do they care that they -enslaved- my brothers and sisters. Hah, I am willing to wager that your -people- have forgotten how the times have come to be this way..There was nay ever a great battle between the pests that is the humankind and my kin..Do you believe it was because your people are better than mine? Hah, You see it right that you control Dragons, even though we're stronger..faster..and just as capable as -you-. Nay..There was no battle, no honor.. If there was, the Human Race would be extinct, and my kind would hold thrones all throughout the skies..instead we..."
Gore slowly began to trail off, seeming to be lost in the memory of what happened ages upon ages ago.

Looking back at her, he noticed the desperation in her eyes. There were few things that would make anyone feel that and he knew it well. After a scoff, he clenched his claws into fists. She clearly struck a nerve with the question. After all, she was right. He was was a monster. The Ancient Dragon knew that she didn't have much of a reason to give him any type of benefit of the doubt, even if he was already owned by her.
"I grant you my word, mistress..I will try and be on what you call 'best behavior.'..Even if frightening them would amuse me greatly." With that, Gore started to walk around the flames, finding himself looking back at his mistress who was obviously hungry.
"I am going on a hunt..You look as if you are starving and seeing as you turned down a meal earlier..perhaps you will not do the same this time..Stay near the fire and it will keep you safe."

Without a chance for her to say no, he was already gone, taking off in a direction that looked like it still flourished with plant life.
The expression he wore hadn't changed since she asked that question. How could he answer that? No matter what he said, wouldn't she just judge him anyway? Thoughts like that raced through the Blood Dragons head over and over while he went and found different things she would like, he stopped and looked at several bushels of white fruit. Moving closer to it, the humanoid Dragon swiped his claw at its roots, cutting it down. Pulling them closer to him, he turned to head back until he heard a cracking sound behind him. Turning around, he saw a rather large bear like creature, huffing hungrily at him. The odd thing was, most animals could sense he was a Dragon no matter what form he took, this creature however..didn't seem to care.
After the staring had gone on for a few minutes, the Bear roared and started to run at the Dragon. The large creature quickly got up on its hind legs, bringing its large clawed paws down at him, hitting him, making him stumble back and drop the bushel he was carrying. Moving his claw over the fresh wound, he stared at the blood that poured from the gashes going down his form.

Narrowing his eyes, The Blood Dragon quickly recovered and ran at the bear, bringing up his own claws, slashing into the large creature, using the momentum of the swipe he gave, quickly turning his shoulder toward the beast, slamming it hard enough to actually knock it back several meters. Moving to collect the bushel, the Dragon turned back to watch the bear like creature slowly pick itself back up.
"..." Heading back to the camp he made, he didn't say a word. If his mistress asked about the wounds he now had? He'd just shrug it off and place the fruits on sticks, holding it out into the fire.
After a few moments, a faint simmering sound came from the fruits that were being cooked. Once he heard them, he pulled them out of the fire and moved over to Rosa, holding them out to her.

"These..if cooked at the right amount of time, melt on the inside. They taste like one of the pastries your kind makes with its fruit like taste in tact." Setting it down for her, Gore took one for himself, biting into it.
The whole time, the question still rang in his head. Mid-way through the fruit, he spoke out in a low tone.
"..You see me as a heartless monster, aye? I nay could -ever- regret whom I end. The Blood Dragon has laid waste to entire armies of men and women, torched villages.." With a sigh, he shook his head. "You seem to nay grasp why..All you see is a murderer, aye? -Your- kind..came to take me away. You invaded my hearth, where I have slumbered for centuries, for coin..If your kind weren't as greedy as they are, all of those men and women would have made it back to their hearths, their families..But no, you all wish to blame me for their ends. What was I to do. Allow them to take me? Would you?!"

Gripping the fruit, it actually burst in his hands. His tone became softer.
"..None of you grasp why such events befall your kind and me, you merely paint out a monster when you think you see one, aye?.." A sigh left his lips before he simply looked down at the ground.
"I nay regret taking their lives..I regret them choosing to fall into greed. I regret that they will nay ever see their loved ones again..I have yet to forget a face of those who have come for me and have died against me. The fires within are not meant to be forgotten, even when they are extinguished in such ways..Though if I hadn't fought back? I may have fallen to them. Allow me to ask this..Which is a greater cause, to defend oneself against the tyranny of others, or to claim a life for coin? Your people are the monsters.."

As soon as he was done talking, he heard rustling in the distance. Clearly someone was coming their way..

Rosalie warily made her way to the flame, sitting at its edge where it was near enough that its warm, and gentle touch would be able to reach her without causing harm. The heat that radiated from it was welcomed and she sighed a little, focusing only on the heat that was slowly travelling up her arms. Rosalie would have allowed this moment to relax her if she had not been with Gore. Instead, she looked across the fire at the dragon, seeing claws slowly digging into the ground, the dragon clearly tense. Did she mumble? As the girl studied him, she realised that he seemed somewhat hesitant in answering, almost as if he were slightly conflicted. She did not play too long with the staring game and glanced back down at the flickering flame for a bit, rubbing her hands before raising her gaze again. Shadows created by the flames danced about to no clear rhythm, and Rosalie was almost transfixed by its strange movement - especially the shadow cast by Gore as he shifted back to his human form. It was interesting to watch when she did not have much of anything to entertain her at this point. Listening to him speak, however, gave the ‘human’ the idea that this legend was only defending his honour and dignity.

She knew humans sought out the dragons, but it was they who won in the end, and that was all that mattered, right? ‘It was either them or us’, was what the books would often portray, and dragons, with their incredible strength and ability, were ‘outwitted’ by humans. That was had gone down in history, that was what has been taught and that was what Rosalie believed. The moment he began to trail off, Rosalie was tempted to prompt him further by simply repeating his last word. She instead sighed and decided to ask about, “the battle, then. That can’t be right because what’s been taught is that there had been a fierce battle between us.. and.. well, you guys. You’re expecting me to believe that? Our history says otherwise, as you’re more than aware.”

“Hah, keep me safe. Hmm..” Rosalie watched Gore’s retreating figure fade into the darkness, biting her lip. The thought of leaving the fireside did not cross her mind. Did he really care about her safety to warn her like that? It was almost similar to Gore blowing flames around her with the message to ‘run’, and ‘stay safe’. That accompanied with him saving her and keeping her safe during that battle only served to make the frown on her face deepen. To think about it carefully, opinions of each other, both from humans and dragons, might even be biased. Why Rosalie would even begin to consider such a minor and unimportant detail was because the crimson beast known for destruction -and she had seen it herself- utterly confused her. Perhaps he was just performing his duties for his owner, but she couldn’t be entirely sure until she had a better glimpse at what this dragon was thinking whenever he wasn’t speaking about the past and how humans ‘unfairly’ approached them to build the world she knew today.

A roar coming from somewhere near the direction Gore had disappeared in made the girl tense and look around warily. It was faint, but Rosalie still shuffled closer to the fire, staying still and quiet for a while as she strained to hear what was going on. She would be able to defend herself using the flame, but that was as much as she could do out here on her own. People did say never to venture near the mountains or forest alone in the dark, reinforcing that rule with dark tales and sightings of dangerous animals. At the thought, Rosalie half rose out of her seating position, staying in a crouch. Even then, a figure that later turned out to be Gore still gave her a bit of a fright. What she had to say to Gore for leaving so quickly died down when she saw that he was bleeding. Asking about it, however, only resulted in a nonchalant shrug from him. Did he really think she would just let it slide? “That could get infected, you know. Will you be okay until Sigmund and Eric get here?” She added the last sentence a little quietly as an afterthought.

Taking the skewered fruit, Rosalie mumbled a ‘thank you’, fanning it with a hand to cool it down a bit before biting into its flesh. There really was no hesitation when she ate this time, the girl only thinking to settle her stomach. Her eyes momentarily lit up at its taste but she hid it quickly. What Gore said gave her a few things to think about and as much as Rosalie would hate to admit it, he was right. Was it enough to get her to doubt everything she’s heard and been taught? In her book, no, not really, but Gore’s behaviour intrigued her. “No, it was either you or them, I suppose. You’re right for defending yourself. Hearing it from your perspective is Interesting.” She chuckled dryly to herself. “I never really thought about it that way. I don’t know if I want to believe you, but.. you could also be telling the truth.”

Rosalie could faint voices approaching. Though usually this would make her duck behind the nearest tree, she smiled and looked over at Gore. “They’re here!” She quietly said in a tone that barely concealed her excitement. She stood up and moved back so she wouldn’t be spotted so easily, planning to sneak up on the brothers. Rosalie decided that she would give Gore this chance to show her that he could keep his word. She wanted to see how the two brothers would react just as much as Gore did, she believed.

__

Sigmund marched on ahead of his brother. Being the oldest did not necessarily mean that he was the most courageous, but he wanted to know why Rosalie would ask him and his brother to meet her out of town. It was one thing if she had asked to meet in the outskirts, but this was odd. What could have happened to prevent her from heading home like she usually would? He was beginning to worry. Once he found her, he was going to scold her. If not, his father would.
“Sig, don’t stray too far!” Eric hissed, adjusting his glasses as he squinted through the darkness. “It’s always most dangerous during the night.”
“That’s exactly why I’m hurrying, Eric. I just want to get this over and done with. The sooner we find her, the sooner we can head back. She shouldn’t be too far now..”
“You are sure that she said this spot specifically?” The shorter of the two asked, stopping for a moment when he thought he heard something. He stared in the direction the sound had come from for a long time before a hand clapping on his shoulder urged him that it was time to move on. He could have sworn he saw something move, but with such limited light from the flashlight he carried, he couldn’t be too sure now. “Brother? Be careful.”
“Got it. Thanks.” Heeding the warning, Sigmund began to move more slowly and quietly, checking for anything that looked suspicious. He was unnerved, that much could be said about the expression he wore, but he was also confident that they would be able to handle themselves well.

A scoff escaped the Blood Dragons lips when she claimed he could be telling the truth. Teal eyes fell over the girl as he tilted his head at her.
"If your history books deemed such events to be..Then it -must- be true. Haha such faith in your own kind must truly be the greatest depths of naivety.." Taking a deep breath, Gore narrowed his eyes at her. His tone now completely sincere and somewhat resentful. "..Allow me to enlighten your mind, young one..History is determined by the one whom is still standing; The Victor..Though your kind are far from victorious. If a battle took place then aye, they would hold such titles and mayhaps even my respect. Instead..your people manipulated, lied, and betrayed..Like Humans do. Even if I unfolded the events of what had truly occurred in days long passed. Nay would you believe me. Then I pose another question..How -do- you think you won such a fabled battle? If it existed, if there was indeed a glorious battle that waged among the two species, how are -you- still here. Your own eyes witnessed those who dared pick up a blade against me. Aye, there are more of you than there are Dragons..especially after your kind herded mine into stables, away from our mates. Hundreds of you are nay worth -one- true Dragon in the field.. I slumbered for centuries but nay am I truly ignorant to what your kind has done to mine..unlike you it seems, mistress."

After a moment, a grunt left his lips before he continued.
"The young ones of my kind know not of their true bloodlines..They no not the worth of a true name, merely because Humans care little for what they are called. My brothers and sisters earned their names through hardship, suffering, strength and wisdom. Now? The Dragons your kind have raised go through their lives believing that your kind are some sort of deity. Hah! Such a notion is beyond ridiculous. If you truly held the whip as much as -you- clearly believe..It would have taken less of you to bind me than it did..instead, the two who managed to claim me, sold their inner fire for darkness..They know not what they had done. If they had seen what I have, even a human would do what must be done and seal such power away.."
The resentment in his tone never truly faded, Gore also seemed somewhat melancholic over the talk of other Dragons. Looking at him now, he actually seemed sympathetic to the days that had passed. Could he had changed something?

Looking over the fresh claw marks, he then turned to look back at Rosalie, tilting his head at her. Did she really not know much about Dragon anatomy?
"..It will heal. To live as long as Dragons are intended, a majority of what you and your kind succumb to will not hinder upon me. Dragons are not like Humans..the inner fire within us burns hot enough to cast out infections and most diseases.." Feeling the back of his horn once more, Gore simply sighed. "Though..there have been occasions where we fall into ill-being." Looking over her, The Blood Dragon wondered if she actually cared if he became ill or if she was just worried about her investment.
"If you wish for me to clean it, I will..You are meant to be kept safe and if I by some means fall ill..Then you will be left with the two daggers upon your person..Do you even know how to use them?" He asked, looking at the blades that were at her legs.

The next thing she said actually shocked him to the point of the Dragon wearing a dumbfounded look upon his face. With a blink, he coughed.
"..I..I am right to defend myself?" He asked, looking at her. Out of everything she had said to him, the whole time Rosa spent with him? His mistress actually said he was right to fight back.
"The perspective of a Dragon is -still- a perspective, mistress..but..thank you, for considering my side without scoffing at such a thing. Many humans would have said that I deserved to be captured and imprisoned for all that I have done." As she went on, Gore just laughed, nodding faintly. "Aye, I could be just speaking ill-truths to you, attempting to win your favor..or, I could be telling you the truth..events that happened long before you were born, to make the Blood Dragon -loathe- your kind..Aye, my kind love to hunt, conflict is what drives us forward much like it does your kind; Though there is a difference..Nay did I go looking for it after my hunger was sated. Rage is bred through the actions of others, not because one is simply inclined to bring about death and tragedy..Hah, your kind like to paint mine as ignorant, aye?..Perhaps they should look upon themselves, before casting out an entire species.."

The Ancient Dragons eyes immediately diverted in the direction of him hearing something rustling. Standing up, he looked at his owner.
"..Mistress.."
__

As the two brothers continued on their way, one would find it odd that they didn't manage to see the rather large fire that their sister seemed to have by her. Instead, they would start to hear rustling and huffing around them. A type of grunting could be heard until a rather large creature stood on its hind legs, not a few yards away from Sigmund. It looked as if it were wounded by a something sharp. A slight breeze swept through the tree's, causing them to rustle. A moment late, The bear like creature started to rush the two. It let out a roar, rushing at the two. Bringing up its claws, it used its height and brute strength to try and knock one over. Sigmund seemed to be completely stunned, but the younger brother grabbed him and tried deflecting the attack with his sword.. only to find that the weight of the creature bared down on him, knocking him down. The creature was about to drop down on him and feast until a thud could be heard, the ground shook from whatever impacted.
Something appeared to wrap around the creature, pulling the full weight of it effortlessly, tossing it away. Looking now, the Blood Dragon immediately seemed to position himself between the creature and the two brothers. Leaning his snout closer, he let out a defiant and much louder roar than the creature previously had, snapping his jaws shut at it. The creature immediately recoiled, moving back into the hills, wanting to get as far away from the monster that just stopped him from having his dinner.
Gore looked back at the two humans, huffing. Craning his head to look at the rider that was on his back, he smacked his lips together as if to ask her if these two were the ones they were waiting for..

Whether it was or not, Gore turned to look at the two who seemed to be wandering close to his mountain. They appeared to look as if they were somewhat lost, but braving the dark woods? They must have had some good reason to it. Especially with how many had died there within the month. Yes because of him, but still.
Patting his claws into the ground lightly, his teal eyes never left the brothers. He didn't mean to break his promise..Even if they didn't freak out, he wasn't on his best behavior. Instead, he acted like any predator would, that was caring for its young. Not that he considered he was in anyway responsible for these two, just that he was meant to keep his mistress happy. Considering the downside of not showing up when he did? They probably would have died to the beast. Dragons would know best that when a predator is wounded, it is at its most fiercest moment. His teal eyes seemed to dull down a bit, snorting at the thought. These humans would run and fear him and his mistress wouldn't trust him no matter what he did. She would most likely completely disregard him interfering with them and the creature that was clearly starving..

History was determined by the victor? Rosalie had heard it all before, but what Gore was telling her really was challenging her knowledge of how people came to hold so much power over the dragons. She sighed, still staring into the darkness while squinting a bit to keep her eyes on the figures. How was she supposed to know anything apart from what she had studied? Unlike Gore, she had gained her knowledge through what has been passed down and not through experience. The girl felt that answering the dragon’s question would be like her walking into a trap to have him further call her naive. What is he trying to say? If his kind were so great, why did it turn out like this? They couldn’t have let us win.. Could they? Speaking about a victory, just having Gore ask about her fighting capabilities did make her wonder what he had been trying to get at. She had answered him accordingly, saying that she had experience and could fend for herself if it ever came down to it. Why ask such a strange question? Did he expect for her to always use him as a shield? She folded her arms, tapping her fingers lightly. She did not want to be regarded as a damsel in distress. Rosalie despised that position the most and if the thought fell upon him to even treat her as one, she would much rather challenge him than let it slide so easily. Yet, she thought, leaning forward ever so slightly, the fact that he would spare a thought was somewhat welcoming. Maybe the dragon wasn’t so bad. Would the girl spare him a thought should he ever fall ill? She merely shrugged. Her becoming attached to a dragon? It would no doubt be pathetic of her.

Peering down from the dragon’s back, she saw that the two brothers had just spotted the fire and were now making a beeline towards it, Sigmund appearing to be the leader for this particular trek. They would have made it safely to the spot Rosalie had been waiting for them to if they had not been interrupted. Her body went cold and time almost seemed to stand still for her when she saw a bulky creature make its advance on the two, knocking Eric back who had jumped out in defence of his older brother. The bear then moved, obscuring her view and causing her desperation to climb. Were they okay?
Gore moved before the order could be given and Rosalie was more than glad for it, watching and gripping onto the saddle anxiously. The feeling of uselessness began to settle into the pit of her stomach. There her ‘brothers’ were, staring Death in the eyes, and she was sitting safely upon the back of a crimson beast! If they died, what would she tell their father? All of this would have been her fault! Though Gore would have been unable to enter the city in his true form, it was her who had summoned the two.

As soon as the threat had been subdued, she found Gore staring back at her. To be completely honest, Rosalie wasn’t entirely sure what Gore was trying to say, but given the situation, it might have been obvious by the way he would keep looking down at Eric and Sigmund who looked just about ready to flee and warn the town. Eric had only just pushed himself back up and was by his brother’s side, holding onto his brother’s arm to steady himself before standing on is own and staring wide-eyed at the crimson beast.
“This can’t be right! News said that you had been captured!”Sigmund stated in a tone that verged more on disbelief and fear than confidence. Hearing his voice made the girl smile weakly in thanks to Gore, still gripped with the fear of losing them both.
“I would leave my brother and flee? That’s absurd!” was Eric’s faint response.
Leaning forward, Rosalie whispered, “the person who spoke first is Sigmund and the one by his side is Eric. They’re the two that I wanted you to meet,” was what she had said in a wavering tone, placing a hand over her heart. “T-that.. that really was too close for comfort. I’m starting to owe you quite a bit, you know..,” It was as sincere as she was going to get as the two Gore had saved were family to her and he had acted without her giving the order. Rosalie would then signal that she wanted to be let down and join her brothers before one of them actually decided to run off.

___
“I’m happy you’re both alive..” Rosalie breathed, running over and taking their hands in hers. With a greeting like that or not, it seemed Eric and Sigmund still wanted an explanation judging by the way they kept looking from her to Gore. After a long minute of staring and making sure that the dragon wasn’t going to do anything, one of the brothers decided to speak up.
“Rosie? This. Explain.” Such short and sharp commands coming from Sigmund, a man who was sometimes known to scold in a clear and demanding manner. However, it looked like he still may do so once he recovered from the initial shock of almost being killed by a bear and then possibly a dragon. They couldn’t be blamed for feeling conflicted between running away and staying when a creature larger than they were was staring them down. They hid their fear behind weapons and false bravery directed at Gore. “How were you on his back? Is this really... him..?”
Rosalie, in response, apologised and gave them answers to some questions they put forth. What she did not answer, however, were questions about the dragon. Gore could handle introductions and the like, himself, she believed. She made a small gesture to her brothers- or more of a quiet plea - for them to put their weapons down. Whether they would listen to her, however, depended solely on Gore’s actions toward them abd if things settled down, the girl would lead the two to the fire Gore had made where she could perhaps discuss the best way to keep him. Since Rosalie was quite new at this, she was slightly interested to hear what the Blood Dragon might have to say. However, it wasn’t to say that she would listen to all of his suggestions; she would most likely go with the most appropriate one.

The moment the Blood Dragon had heard the boys say how impossible it was for him to be there, simply for him being captured? Gore couldn't stop the faint yet oddly cute growl that escaped his lips. It seemed that he genuinely didn't think that -he- was captured by normal means. Why did these pests think that he was someones catch. Even if he was, he didn't like having them rub it into his snout. Fighting a group of enemies that he wasn't familiar with was hard enough, couldn't they understand that!?
Watching them both, the ancient Dragon simply scoffed and let out another oddly cute reptilian sound. It wasn't hard to tell that these two were terrified of whom was towering over them. Just the way they acted was enough, let alone Sigmund who yelled what he had. The mystic teal eyes of his owners new investment never left them when she spoke to him of who they were. After she had told him that they were the right two that he was supposed to meet, anyone could tell that the tense Dragon started to relax. He had to protect Rosa at all costs, letting his guard down wasn't something he could afford to do.

Watching the older brother seem to give off the demanding aura toward his mistress, the Dragon seemed to not like someone commanding his owner. Lightly snapping his jaws shut, he positioned himself closer to his owner.
Their reaction to him was normal though..Gore may not have known how they depicted him, he got this reaction often in his time with these..humans.. They often always stared in fear and awe. Most tried to cover up how afraid they were and that just annoyed the hell out of the Dragon even more. Was fear that troublesome to these pests? Gore always considered it to help, not hurt. Fools believed that the absence of fear made you strong. Fear kept warriors alive. it made the senses analyze even more in conflict and if one could master it? You would stop hesitating, and act even more quickly to prevent yourself or someone else from getting hurt. Dragons had to learn that at a young age..

After a moment of staring off with the two brothers, the now owned Dragon seemed to scoff once more at whether or not the'd drop their weapons. They seemed to have trouble with the local wildlife, how would they handle the Blood Dragon? With a shrug, the Dragon slowly started to head back toward the fire he made, making sure to not crush anyone in the process. Not shifting right away, he instead decided to rest at the bonfire he created, letting his tail coil around a tree so he had room to lay there. The mystic teal eyes that the Dragon had watched with intent at the dancing flame in front of him.
When the humans all looked at him, Gore simply huffed, uncoiling his tail. Sitting upright, the large Dragons form slowly started to shift and change. The sounds of him changing forms didn't sound too pleasant and one would even think that it was hurting him.
Once changed, Gore sat where he initially was, looking at the flame. After a moment, he turned to look at the brothers.

"..Aye, 'tis -really- me.." With a soft sigh, he looked down. "As it seems, my mistress had bought me on a whim..So I will tell the tale of my prior owners if that is acceptable." Looking over them, he started to talk about how they either shared a rather large room with him to make sure he was where they needed him to be. Or how they kept him outside.
"My kind cannot retain this.. form long..Each Dragon is different in how long they can continue to stay in such a pat-" Gore quickly stopped himself, coughing. It seems he considered the form with much disdain. "Some can remain for hours, others? Days.. If one of my brothers and sisters are forced to remain in such forms for too long.." Gore seemed to stop talking, clenching his claws into fists. How could they possibly understand!? Knowing how they were, they would most likely use the information he'd give them to hurt him.
"..'Tis merely something you nay wish upon your worst enemy..That is all that needs said.. Beyond that, Dragons are usually used as transportation or ways to settle disputes. If you humans have not changed your ways in the years, I can be used to settle major conflicts if the other human has a Dragon of their own.. I cannot serve anyone other than my mistress."

Looking over at Rosa, the Blood Dragon made sure to look into her eyes.
"Her word is final.. That is not to say that your kind are rather..twisted. I cannot fight others of your kind. If they force me to do something, I cannot resist. If I do, they can do whatever they wish to me. It is dangerous to leave Dragons alone in public.." Taking another moment, the Blood Dragon seemed to try and calm himself down. Whatever was going through his head couldn't have been good. After a minute, he sighed and continued.
"However if my mistress is with me, she can have me avoid any conflict by ordering me at her will..I am safest when I am with you, Rosa. I can defend you and protect you until my last breath, however..If you are to order me to end a life, especially without reason? Execution is the punishment for a Dragon who harms a human.."

"If I may, mistress..where will you be keeping me?" asked Gore with a bit of a confused tone. Did she want to keep him outside of the city? It'd be harder to take care of her that way.
"Hah, does worry fill your heart on whether or not your neighbors shall accept the Blood Dragon in their lands? You could always hide me. In the past, my owners have often done their best to hide my true self by tying my hands in bandages.. My horns are more difficult to hide, but with a proper hat or wrapping, they can be hidden rather well. How else was I to be transported here in ancient days before your flying contraptions..Ships that traveled the water often forbid killers of your kind to stay off for..obvious reasons..Such frail creatures..locked inside a vessel with me, nay is it a wonder as to why though. 'tis normal for one to fear for their lives.." There was clearly a story to tell from what he was referencing, but didn't seem to go on with it.

Looking at the brothers again, the Ancient Dragon couldn't help but smirk. They didn't stop looking at him through a majority of what he was saying.
"..If I may, Mistress..why is it they continue to look at me as they do.." Asked her dragon in a curious tone, oblivious to just how people saw him.

Could Rosalie really trust Gore as much as she trusted Sigmund and Eric? At the moment, the young woman was pondering whether or not she could survive being his owner. She never did have the goal of owning a dragon and the decision made last night was more or less ‘forced’ on her. This investment could serve to get her a new friend, or serve her a death sentence on a silver platter. She deserved that much if she was going to pay for such a fancy death, Rosalie thought sarcastically, rolling her eyes. Gore didn’t seem all that bad - especially if he had saved the very two people who helped and gave her a place to call home. Their family had done a lot for her, and were one of the few she loved enough to openly call ‘family’.

The noises that Gore would sometimes make did not sound befitting of a mighty dragon and instead reminded one of a yelp a young pup would make. It certainly was odd, odd enough that Rosalie had to check over her shoulder. She wasn’t offended or anything; it was far from that. Wouldn’t anyone turn to the source of the noise if they had found it strange and somewhat funny? Rosalie could not help but wonder what he was thinking but she bit back a smile and focused instead on what Sigmund was saying lest he start asking her questions and get her to repeat what he had just said. He had caught her out so many times that it wasn’t funny. Still, it had not been her fault that he would catch her in the middle of something.

Sigmund and Eric lowered their weapons only when Gore had turned around and started to head back to the fire. However, it still looked as if they did not completely trust where the situation was going - even when Rosalie had smiled assuredly at them. They simply looked at each other then at her. Gore was protective of her, that much was clear when he had leaned closer earlier but now that he had started to back up, it gave an ample window of opportunity to talk amongst themselves.
“Rosie? You did tell him we’re on the same side, right?” Eric asked in a low tone of voice, not too keen on having his voice project beyond Sigmund and Rosalie’s ears. He adjusted his glasses, looking ahead at Gore with quiet interest that made the young woman roll her eyes. If he was excited, he never did show it all too openly like other people did. It was why that whenever he did, Rosalie would be more than happy to point it out.
“Mhm.. I did..” Rosalie replied in a tone as equally quiet, slowly making her way back to the fire, “but.. you have to help me. I don’t know anything about dragons!” she hissed in a low tone. “Sigmund? You asked for pictures... but here’s the real thing. I told you I wasn’t lying when I said Gore helped me.”
“It makes sense why you have him here...” Eric muttered, looking her up and down, “I imagine this would cost you a fo-“
“Don’t mention it, please?” Rosalie pleaded, laughing nervously. “All that matters is that you guys get to see the real deal..and know I wasn’t lying when I showed you that scale.”

Rosalie sat down with the brothers on either side of her, both young men cringing at the sound of Gore shifting. They were clearly interested in the dragon, showing greater interest now that they knew Gore spoke their language. They knitted their brows together in confusion at the dragon’s old accent, but understood what the crimson legend was telling them. Like young children listening to a story, they sat there quietly. Sigmund had his elbow rested over his knee, head propped snugly in the palm of his hand. Though the gesture may have portrayed him to be calm and easy-going, he was far from it, proven when time to time his eyes would dart warily from side to side and then to the dragon. The only positive thing he had done so far was place the weapon not too far from his feet.
He was still shaken from the bear attack, and his brother would no doubt be feeling the same as he was. Anyone, having escaped a life-threatening situation, would be in shock but grateful nonetheless at their survival. It was so unlikely that they would have been saved by the very legend they had been studying with great fervour.

“I think I can see why you told us to meet you here, Rosie.” Said Sigmund. He then directed his next statement to Gore, “You say being close to Rosie, here, is safest for you, but I don’t think I see it if you’re going to head into town..” He shook his head, finding it difficult to believe he was actually talking to the Blood Dragon in a normal conversation! Again, he glanced at Eric, the younger brother doing nothing but staring at the ground with his arms folded, nodding whenever it was deemed appropriate. How was he taking this in so easily, like it happened everyday? “Did you really save her or is she making things up? It’s not that I’m ungrateful for you looking out for her, but, frankly, I’m surprised you did all those things for someone you didn’t know. Heh, sorry, Rosie”. Sigmund quickly added once he saw her glaring at him.
“Oh.. It’s fine. Don’t mind me.”

~~~

“How long can you stay in this form, if I can ask that?” Rosalie then paused for a moment, allowing it to sink in and give him some time to decide how he would answer that. Like the brothers, she had noticed how Gore had trailed off earlier. He did not have to answer her in front of the brothers, but she wondered if he would. Would he think that she was planning some sort of punishment for him should he anger her? Rosalie would let him think what he wanted, saying sternly that, “there also won’t be any executions. Don’t let me buying you be a waste, Gore.”

Rosalie tapped her fingers over her knees as she looked to the sky, thinking. The stars were coming out pretty quickly, one by one, peeking out behind the curtain of darkness almost at the behest of the moon. They couldn’t stay out here for long - the brothers’ parents would be concerned. The girl pushed herself out of her seating position and started to pace about the campfire. “Sigmund, Eric, don’t we have a shed that could hide Gore for the time being?”
“We do.” Eric, who had been quiet the entire time, confirmed, nodding slightly, “though.. do you think that’d be enough?”
“Well..” Rosalie shrugged, turning to Gore this time. “I’m going to take a leap of faith and trust you here..” she sat down beside the Blood Dragon, though took care not to sit too close as she kept her gaze locked to his. “I want you to stay in the shed we have.. or even somewhere outside the house, but considering your form, it might be safer if you decide. Besides.. these two,” she gestured to the brothers with a light smirk at how she had addressed them, “They’re strange.. I’ll give them that, but they’re interested in your history and they really are nothing like the hunters, I assure you. They mean a lot to me, so I hope you treat them more fairly than those you met three weeks ago. I’m not saying that you have to listen to them, but it’d be nice if you did. They were the ones who had heard the news of the hunters planning your capture and had suggested that if I followed the news, I might be able to find something.. Hehe, that would explain why they’re listening to you so intently. Oh, that’s right!” Rosalie clapped her hands together and fished the camera out of her bag, tossing it across to Sigmund who fumbled slightly when he caught it. “Take a look.” She simply said when he looked up questioningly.
“This will make up for you calling us strange will it, Rosie?” Sigmund mumbled, raising an eyebrow at her. It was a teasing gesture on his part, but Rosalie was more than happy to retaliate, sticking her tongue out at him.
“Stop calling me that, or I’ll have to start calling you ‘Siggy’.”
“Don’t. You. Dare.” He then sighed, “fine. Whatever you choose, though, better make it quick."

The Blood Dragon had told his new owner that a Dragons senses are meant for the ancient ritual of the hunt. That when they were in the city of Desdemona, he could point out what others were doing from blocks away. It was no different than when he was in his true form either. The three whispering quietly among themselves when he was barely a few feet away? Seemed like a silly notion all together. Despite that, Gore did his best to tune out what they were saying out of respect for his owner. The Ancient Dragon had more manners than listening to a conversation he had nothing to do with. Instead, he settled at the fire without much more thought behind it. Who cared about what -they- had to say? Humans always rattled on with whatever crossed their tiny minds. Dragons? Hah they were -far- from that. Their dialect took time to speak out. More refined but also meant to be used when it was needed.. Gore did however speak when he was in his humanoid form due to the fact that these humans felt more at ease when he spoke to them. He wondered whether or not they thought he planned on killing them. The looks on the two boys he encountered that evening shown that much.

That is when they sat down and their eyes seemed to avert to him. They looked between him and his owner repeatedly as if they were sizing up just how much of a connection the Dragon and the Rose had with one another.
They were right.. Gore was -very- protective over his owner. This girl..The very person who 'saved' him from that man known as Rorshe? Seemed to be the only one who didn't want to abuse owning him. Being put to death wasn't something the Blood Dragon wanted to go through, after all..it wouldn't have been his first time at the executioners hand. Hah! Humans always seemed so foolish as to believe -he- would go quietly. Had that man whom served 'The Order' pulled the trigger, He'd have found a VERY...very enraged Blood Dragon on stage. Without a single chain or tether to hold him, he'd have carved Rorshe into pieces before blazing the cro-..
The very thought made Gore's mystic eyes widen, shaking his head. It seemed that the monster before them was hesitant about hurting the innocent..that couldn't be right, could it?

The next question made Gore let out a huff. They seemed to question his own logic, that didn't make him stare..
"Aye, it would be dangerous for her as well. Nay for the fact that she was there, but she now holds the responsibility of owning what your kind see as 'Gore; The Blood Dragon'. Little doubt is there that the people of that town had sacrificed sons and husbands to the cause of taming me..Fools are they for tempting the flames of fate and coming for me. Battle and blood are nay such strangers to my claws but to them? They are bred with luxury. Yet I cannot deny such..I do admire their courage and greed to some extent. To wage conflict with something as revered as the Blood Dragon?..Hah, it takes stupidity as well as a great deal of heart to do so. Greed or not..to risk the fire within ourselves for a glorious onslaught? Nay whomever it is, should be somewhat admired.."
The respect this 'monster' felt toward the fallen was obvious, even if he did say that he wouldn't remember those from weeks prior as well as he would those from centuries passed.

Hearing them ask what they did would literally make the Blood Dragon cough in his true form. Even in his humanoid form It looked and sounded a bit cute but just the look of surprise was enough to make someone smile.
"Hah, did she hold word over such a thing? The way I recall..she blames me for what happened weeks prior.." Gore looked down, nodding. "Aye, 'tis truth she speaks lad. Years..even centuries may have passed since the days of my battlefields..Though man is no different. Mistress should have nay ever been sent into such conflicts. Had the wrong humans found her, such as that woman.. or had the wretches that wielded Dark Magic seen her.. None had known she was out there. With the rage of war bleeding in the ears of everyone whom could come to Rosa's aid, all her screams would fall on deaf ear. All but mine.. I felt she was safer upon my back then on the ground with the greedy and blind."
Gore's claws went to his back, feeling the spot where his wings take form with a soft sigh. The wounds he obtained still hurt. The torture slowed everything down for him to heal.

"Haha you speak nay truer words lad, After all..She is human as are you. The same humans who invaded my hearth, who interrupted my slumber and pulled me back into chains.." With a dark smirk, it seemed Gore wanted to make them stiffen up a bit before explaining.
"There has been enough innocent blood spilled for my end. Aye, a monster is what I am..but when you see what I have seen.." Gore stared at the dancing flames, clenching his claws over his shirt, gripping onto the cloth. "Those who come for me wielding weapons know their fire is capable of being extinguished. Those who are there without much more cause than to observe or simply out of interest?..Humans call these people statistics of warfare. I call them innocents. Unlike mankind, I remember each moment in which I take the flames of the living..My mistress didn't deserve to perish..especially in the way the hunters would have had her. So, I had no other choice but to make sure she was steady and safe then on the ground running into the very mercenaries whom were out to claim the reward of capturing me.. Though..had she not been her but -you-?..I would have most likely scared you away seeing as I doubt the humans would have taken you and used your bodies in such a way."
That last part he added to be a bit cheeky toward them, flashing them one of his fangs with a hint of glee in his eyes.

A question that the Blood Dragon didn't want to hear..was asked by none other than his owner. Looking over at her, Gore seemed to just stare for a moment, weighing whether or not he should open up to her and tell her just how he was.
"..We can be forced to hold this form..as I had said, it's result is truly one of sadists tastes..I know not of how long of which I can maintain this form, At the time of which I had spent in it, perhaps a day, maybe more at most. I know little of my talents in this form and I dislike it's frailty. Forgive me but your kind are quite..fragile. If that man had shot me in the head in this form, I sincerely doubt I would be getting back up nay matter how much I take within my true form..I will say this, Mistress..forgive me but I must hold word.."
Looking at the brothers, then at her. Gore spoke in a much greater tone. "..If any here abuses the wisdom I am granting..I will be most displeased..If I stand for nothing, let it be known that the greatest I stand for is that for my brothers and sisters..it is the whole reason why my history is that of bloodshed and nay comfort.."

With a soft sigh, Gore let them go on and on about where they would keep him without much interruption. He didn't rightfully care at the moment seeing as he had no place else to go. The humans that resided close to this girl could do little to him with pitch forks and blades. Then again..her safety was his top concern..Looking over at Eric, even -he- noticed how the boy seemed to be taking this so easily. It was as if the boy was trying to give him more comfort than chain. The sound of Rosa grabbing something made the humanoid lizard look at the two; Within mere seconds the Dragons eyes widened, looking at the contraption. Letting out a faint growl, he was clearly tensing up at the sight of it.
"That wretched contraption flashes too damned brightly! Get it away!" He said in an oddly cute tone that one couldn't help but laugh at.

With a faint grumble after the camera incident, he stood up and looked at the few who sat with him at the fire.
"..Mistress, word should be held for the matter at hand. Your brethren seem to believe you are not safe with me..which is nay the case considering I can guarantee I hold more talent at ending life than they.." With a faint smirk, his eyes moved to leer at them for moment before looking back at her.
"If their worries are to be addressed..then hiding whom I am may be best. If we hold bandage wrappings as well as something to wear over ones head..then I can blend in with your crowd, despite how I look elsewhere such as my eyes and fangs..It can be managed, as it had been done hundreds of years prior to now..Then, when we arrive, I can be taken to where you wish to hold me..be it a shed or a room or..whatever it is you hold in mind..Know this though.." Stepping closer to her, Gore seemed to address her now.

"Your life..is my life. I will defend and protect you against armies as well as blood kin if I must..You will be safe nay matter where we go, even if it means an ill end for me."

Even if at first it might not have seemed like it, Rosalie was listening. At times, her eyes would find themselves wandering over to the campfire, but other than that, she was taking in what Gore had to say pretty well. She never saw the point in interjecting him. Whenever she left him to speak, she would find something he spouted somewhat confusing and contradicting. It was always between the history she had been taught of him and the history that had been told by him. They were both different and though one might think this would lead her to frustration, it did not. The young woman, however, did send Gore an odd look when she realised that he had referred to her as ‘Rosa’, a shortening of her name that she would have expected from the brothers. “Did you just..,” Rosalie shook her head at Gore, eyes widening incredulously for a few seconds before narrowing on him, the young woman unhappy with the nicknames thrown about by them all. ‘Rosie,’ was bad enough, but being called ‘Rosa’ by a dragon, no less? She indignantly folded her arms and turned her head away, lips pursing into a thin line. Just because he had saved, her, Eric and Sigmund, it gave him the right to call her as such? “You could at least call me by name and not a shortened version of it.” It was comment directed at Gore, but whether or not he would abide by that wish was another matter.

She eventually settled for watching the expressions on the brother’s faces change slowly as they comprehended the fact that Gore actually admired those who would risk their lives in battle no matter what the odds clearly were. After all, there were those who believed there was always a small chance in any given situation. It might have even been slightly easier for them to believe that than it might have been for her considering that she had been the one to watch the hunters fall to their deaths or burn almost as brightly as the environment itself. Despite these thoughts, though, Rosalie still considered herself lucky to be alive, to be spared by something or someone who was known to claim lives. Were these the real reasons as to why he had kept her safe? The girl found herself wanting to believe him as what he had done for her had only served to make travel safer and easier. Gore had not killed her and from what she had eaten earlier, she still felt fine. Perhaps Rosalie was too quick to judge? She began to study him. Maybe, she thought to herself, but was not yet willing to accept that realisation.

“Innocents?” Sigmund hummed in thought, gaze drifting to Rosalie and then his brother, wearing a rather quizzical expression. He clearly did not understand why Gore had mentioned the observers being as such considering what he had read up on, but unlike Rosalie, he and his brother were enthusiastic about meeting the Blood Dragon, and even sitting there listening to what he had to say was an unbelievable experience for them. Don’t get them wrong, the fear was still as evident in their eyes as the moment they had first seen the dragon. One might think they were being accepting because they were afraid of angering the beast, but it could also be because they were more open-minded when compared to her. From this perspective, it was difficult to say.

There was also no need for Gore to go into details when it came to possible capture by the hunters, but he was right: it was safer for the young men than it was for Rosalie. However, despite being aware of this, the brothers still couldn’t help but shift a little awkwardly at the same time Rosalie blushed and shuddered at the thought. Gore wasn’t doing them any favours in the dark where little was visible. “Well, you’re...more honourable than what the texts say. ” The eldest of the trio said after a moment of unsettling silence.

It had been tense with nothing but the song of crickets and the crackling of flames to fill the void hanging empty over them, but that silence was easily remedied with ongoing questions. Rosalie was not surprised that Gore did not fully answer her question, but she was only testing him. They weren’t going to let this slip out any time soon. The brothers both voiced their agreement but whatever seriousness was soon lost with Gore’s reaction to the camera. The young men seemed more confused than amused, looking between Gore and the camera numerous times before looking to his mistress for an explanation. Rosalie allowed herself a small chuckle and a shake of her head. “And here I was hoping you’d be fine with it.” She was tempted to reach out and pat his back like one would do to a child, but seeing as he was much taller, and she still did not know how he would react, it did not seem like the wise thing to do.
“These are some very interesting close-ups..” Eric mumbled, referring to what he assumed were snapshots of Gore up too close for comfort. “I certainly hoped the first few close-ups weren’t taken by you, Rosalie.”
“Hmm? No! Of course not! I covered the auction.”
“No.. I meant shots of teeth... not much can be made out from this.”
“..don’t blame me! They were taken by Gore.” What more the young woman had to say was interrupted by a sigh coming from Sigmund who told them both to focus on what they were going to do next.

“Rosie? Eric and I will head back to town to see what we could find.” Standing up, Sigmund brushed his clothes off and looked into Rosalie’s eyes, “to make things safer, we need to you wait somewhere closer outside town. Eric, let’s get going.”
“Yes, brother.” Eric muttered, pocketing the camera. He started to walk off, but turned to regard Gore briefly. “I suspect sneaking you in would not be too difficult. As it is now, not many people would be out of their houses. The factor still remains that you are quite tall.. Hmm..” They’d find something, albeit, with some difficulty, but there should be something to conceal Gore’s form nonetheless. Perhaps a cloak will do away with the horns and perhaps conceal his arms?

Rosalie would follow behind the brothers, urging Gore to walk either alongside or behind her. It didn’t matter what he chose as long as he was near enough. She was wary that the bear might return or they might run into a different one, but it did not stop her from moving away from the fire without hesitance. The girl was in a bit of a daze after hearing Gore’s pledge. It was one that put her at ease as it no longer put his loyalty to question. Despite this, Rosalie still had to ask if, “that’s an oath between a dragon and master or mistress, right? It sounds like it, anyway, but thanks. It kinda puts me at ease knowing that.” She made sure the brothers were still in sight before she turned to Gore with her full attention, tilting her head in almost a questioning manner. “You seem to speak about death a lot. Is it something important among Dragon kin?” It really was beginning to look like she was stuck with him for a while. She might as well ask a few things in hopes that it might allow her to better gauge his personality and maybe have a guess to how he could react to certain things that did not just include bright, flashing lights like the likes of a camera. “Ah.. and how often would you be taking commands from me?”

The night seemed calmer around the fire that the legend created. Despite how he acted and his views upon people, he didn't seem to show hatred or hostile intentions of any kind toward those who were around him. The Blood Dragon seemed to be showing truth to what he was saying, at least the part about the innocent.
"Hah, I would presume there are many a tale told of how the horrid creature known as the Blood Dragon bred havoc throughout the lands..'Tis why you lads are staring at me with fear in the eyes, aye?" The look on the crimson beasts eyes seemed to be distant, as if thinking about the things humans could have told one another about his misdeeds .
" 'Battlefields are left blood soaked and trampled by the wretched 'winged lizard'. The sounds of agonizing screams of bones being rendered into dust under his ruthless claws and blood thirsty jaws. Women and children are the least safe considering these are his favorite meals since the soft flesh makes it all the more succulent.'" Exclaimed Gore in a mocking tone of a modern day human. Even his accent seemed to fade in some way during the sentence.
"Are those words similar to those that fell upon your ears, little ones?" He asked the three, smirking at them. "Stories are the grandest of ventures when there lies nay else around.." Not once did he hint that the stories about him were the truth.

"All the tales in the realm that involve conflicts between any living thing must hold cause. Hunger, protection, life, many see conflict and suggest it is mere violence that draws forth the arm of which strikes another. Tell me..do you wish to know why the name you humans granted upon me.. Why Gore stands out above all others from the days long passed?" Gore's voice seemed sly and somewhat dark with the question.

Looking over at his new mistress, The Blood Dragon's mystic teal eyes looked over the form of the girl once more, taking note of how she stared at him when he called her Rosa. Tilting his head, his lips curved into a smile when she seemed slightly taken back by the nickname. Mistress wasn't always appropriate to use when there was simple and casual conversations being held. So he went ahead and gave her another name.
"Something wrong, mistress?" Asked her servant, clearly already knowing what gave her pause. Despite the widely believed views, Gore was no idiot. Being able to connect one point of a conversation to another wasn't all too difficult. Seeing how it made her uncomfortable only made him laugh considering they all call him by the human given name.
"Haha 'tis a bother, aye? Rosalie..A strong name fit for a warrior of the fairer kind. I think it suits you quite well mistress, All the things I have seen of you must show some sort of strength residing within the flame of your heart..You even wished to use that mans weapon against me, the very thought shows a great deal about you."

The questioning tone of eldest just made Gore smirk all the more at him. Moving his claws up to feel the back of his horn, he cringed when the tip of his finger traced the mark he had shown his mistress earlier.
"The Innocent.. Such an unusual word in this dark realm. Quite fragile creatures you are.. All living creatures are bred with the ability to feel hatred for someone, there are even those that embrace it right at the beginning of their lives and show no concern for others. Those of you who disregard such corruption though..Are so close to embracing the idea of it. All it takes for humanity to see this world in such ways is one horrid moment. Those moments that seem so significant to you can change your entire world and from then on the fires within your hearts start to shift and grow dimmer and dimmer throughout every passing day.. With all I have done, It would be rather naive of me to claim I have not bred my own share of dissonance throughout your kind.."
Looking back at the town in which the three humans came from, the Blood Dragon just shook his head.
"Sometimes I wonder if one can change such a fate. Embracing that hatred and using it against others..I nay know if my venture is futile but..I will continue to try." Gore seemed to be talking to himself with that last part. Something was clearly on his mind..

When the older brother continued and even spoke of the Dragons owner, Gore couldn't help but smirk at the thought of a human speaking of such a thing to -him-.
"Honor is a great deal of importance lad, especially to one such as me. Long before humankind had emerged, I was teaching the little ones of my kind, the Dragonkin that battle is mindless bloodshed without honor, If one is to lose themselves in the onslaught, they will find that nothing of their former selves is left. The line between right and wrong in battle is often blurred and when all is lost, one's honor can save them from becoming the true monster within all of life. To un-blur those lines and make it so that we venture onto the right path and nay the wrong.. Sadly though, Honor cannot be taught and is often forgotten by many. There is nay greater shame than the young forgetting of something so important."

When the silence was filled with questions about the Camera, the Blood Dragon was already tense, staring at it with narrowed eyes. He strongly disliked the device and wanted to throw it as far as he could.
"the sorcery in which that contraption uses is wretched! The mistress threw that at me and told me to do it as something called homework, -WHAT- is this homework?! Where did it come from!? 'Tis not of this realm!" Gore exclaimed in a rather funny and irritated way. That is until he heard the sigh from Sigmund or 'Siggy', and calmed down.
"Argh..As you wish, Siggy.." Said Gore, knowing full well he disliked the name.

Gore stuck beside his owner the entire walk when the two brothers headed to town and once again? The ancient dragon found himself alone with Rosalie, only now it seemed that he understood her a bit better. Hearing her question, a smile appeared on his face, looking at her. He began to wonder if her question was more of her hoping that he was genuine and not being forced to say something. Did she really care about that, or was that wishful thinking? Humans were so confusing..
"Dragons are meant to protect their owners, though if our owner dies..The blame falls nay on the Dragon. We are sold to someone else or given to a family member.. Do you wish for me to mean it beyond that of a servant to his mistress?" Turning around, he looked back at the fire they left behind.
"Nay..'Tis not at all a simple oath. I may be your servant mistress, but I am proud of what I am. Oaths to me are not some fancy set of words spoken for no cause. I protected you long before you claimed me. So, no..it is far from just a simple and meaningless selection of words. I say such words nay for my servitude. Simply because I mean it."

Rosalie's voice now seemed more directed at him and her question? Made him stop dead in his tracks. He stood there for a moment, staring at the fire that was a bit away with fists clenched.
"..Death? Hah have you already forgotten just whom you hold a leash over, mistress? The torture they had put me through within the last three weeks could nay -ever- break me of whom I truly am.." With a deep sigh, he looked down. "I speak of death because it is the only constant within my time upon this realm.. I have seen civilizations rise and fall, blazed those who opposed me and have been the very hand for Death..If I did not speak of it as I do, If I did not see it as a constant..than..I doubt I would be strong enough to continue living.." The last part of that sentence actually sounded like it hurt him.

Moving back to the fire, the Dragon kept his gaze on the ground, knowing that his Mistress kept close to him just in case of anything else trying to hunt her.
"I would serve you whenever you commanded. Asking how often is pointless considering I am yours for every moment of every day, for the rest of your life. When you die? I will be sold to someone else..So, Whenever you deem to order me, I -must- follow it, nay matter time or nature."
Looking at the human beside him, he smiled.
"Despite your reluctance of buying me, mistress..I will never disappoint you. When you need of me, all you need do is call out to me and I will be there."

Sigmund had made a point earlier that Rosalie found rather interesting that coincided. There was never a source that mentioned why Gore was named as he is. Through ‘stories’ and history passed down, the name, “Gore”, had been embedded as it was so much so as printed. Not many questioned it; not many even cared. It was convenience and as long as a blood dragon was associated with that name, then it had done its purpose to instill that fear into the hearts of individuals.

A strange thing Gore had said caused Rosalie to stop for a moment, cringing slightly. A name fit for a warrior? Now that certainly was the first time Rosalie had heard something like that. How was she supposed to respond? Always, always, always, had she been taught to prepare herself and expect the unexpected, but never did she think she’d be getting some sort of comment from the Blood Dragon. Not after he had called her Rosa, anyway. It could not have been some sort of praise, could it? Why that would even cross her mind was beyond her. Legend or not, it was from a dragon nonetheless. “Hmm.. Really?” The girl asked, unconvinced as she sent a sidelong glance at him. She wasn’t a fighter as her first encounter with him would suggest. The number of times he had huffed at her gave Rosalie the clear impression that he had been playing with her. What would suggest that it was any different here? “You already know who the clear victor of that battle would be if it had turned out differently.”

She then shook her head, regarding him warily. The words he had spoken and pointed out to be nothing more than stories wasn’t doing well to convince them as being otherwise. There had been a puzzled look and a wary comment from Sigmund that was along the lines of asking the origin behind Gore’s name, but other than that, there was not much to indicate that the brothers were sure to believe they were stories. It was almost as if Gore had forgotten that Rosalie had been there to witness the deaths of the hunters. To say they were mere stories was almost going as far to say that she had dreamt up the whole thing about the hunters, of Glenn’s arrival at Kalandor and of his death. She sighed, folding her arms. That, she could say without a doubt, was no dream. He was, however, accepting of the horrid things he had done - which was intriguing to say the least. Since obtaining him, Rosalie was more times shocked of Gore’s way of thinking than she was angry over it. What dragon accepted that they had killed people who had not deserved to die, had found pride in facing people who had the honour to challenge him with wit and skill? An odd case, no doubt, but whatever he did, she did not care as long as he was loyal and behaved.

It seemed Gore wasn’t going to get used to that camera any soon - not that it particularly mattered to her. Rosalie wanted to know how quickly Gore could learn even if at times it provided some amusement at the expense of others. Rosalie had laughed a little but it did not compare to hearing the Blood Dragon actually call Sigmund, ‘Siggy’. The eldest of the three’s face had been priceless and actually sent the girl into a fit of silent laughter. She calmed down after a while and gave herself a minute to breathe, still smirking lightly. “Mmm.. Homework. Gore, while we’re waiting, tell me what you’ve learned about that camera.” Rosalie smiled lightly, “Surely, it’s not as bad as you say it is.” She wouldn’t go so far as to call it an over-reaction, but it was close enough.

She actually titled her head at the dragon when he mentioned being something more than servant and mistress. Rosalie had an idea, but only because she was well aware of the dangers the world had to offer. She was quickly beginning to realise that by having the Blood Dragon with her, it may make things a tad safer as evidenced by the avoidance of the bear attack. “I don’t know, hehe. You’d think I’m crazy, but.. It wouldn’t hurt to have someone who’ll watch my back and I theirs.” Would Gore have understood that? She wondered, but she was proposing a mutual alliance. Being friends meant that they would have to care for each other and being close to a dragon? Wasn’t on the very top of her list. “And.. I would prefer Rosalie over Mistress.. So use that from time to time. I just hate hearing the word ‘Mistress’ all the time, you know?” She huffed, folding her arms. “It makes me sound older than I really am...and it can get tedious..”

Rosalie noticed the change in Gore’s tone and the stance he had taken when he explained why he spoke of death in such a way. Was the Blood Dragon showing some vulnerability? No.. The girl corrected herself, noting how his expression seemed to tell her something else. He seems more.. Approachable.. Not at all like the monster who has never felt regret. She was unsure of her readings of the dragon, but he did seem more ‘human’ to her.
Keeping near the dragon, Rosalie fell quiet. It was not because she had grown bored of speaking to Gore, but more so that she was taking in his words. They were such sincere and thoughtful words. Every moment of everyday? Would she really be stuck with her investment? She looked around herself before looking at the sky briefly. Unless she died or sold him, Gore would be in her service? The former wasn’t a very nice thought, but there wasn’t much she could do to prevent it. All she could do was make the most of what she had. Gore saying that human lives were fragile wasn’t too far off. It was fleeting like a dream, but valuable, nonetheless. Rosalie watched him and for a brief moment, her eyes were devoid of judgement and were more of gratitude. “Thank you. That’s.. erm.. really nice of you.” She cleared her throat, “what I mean is: it’s nice to know that I’ll have someone to rely on.” Yet, if Gore did fail her, she already knew how she would punish him as seen earlier with the camera. “Hmm.. I noticed you were mumbling about something earlier. Is it something I should hear or am I better off not knowing?”

"Haha aye perhaps your posture with said blade was a wee bit off, Mistress..Though ye still held strong and fast. Prepared were ye to engage me and even remained in the fields of battle after it began..this is not all of what makes a warrior though..Nay the real reason is one that you cannot deny."
Taking a moment, the Dragon shifted in place, leaning closer to her and looking down into her eyes. "..You came to me, frightened and confused as I shielded you from the rain..Hands gripping the arrows that were in my neck and just the slightest push could have felled me. You held my death at your hands be it for my carelessness or what have you. What had passed was not such an event. My mistress pulled them from me and removed the arrows despite how terrified she was. Courage is what makes a warrior strong, restraint..is what makes a warrior great. Ye nay need believe such words and if you wish to doubt the words of a Dragon? 'Tis fine. Though believe this. Truth holds honor for truth holds consequence of ones actions. Deceit..hah, a Human invention. You are a warrior, Rosalie. Even if ye nay such realize it now.. The day will come when you will stand proud and hold true to the fire within you. All we need do is wait for the day to come."

The Blood Dragon being proud of what he is, made it so that he didn't notice the way they regarded him. Sure the brothers seemed to be responding in such a way that showed -some- respect. The girl though..She seemed to stare at him as if he wasn't quite renowned in the way he was. 'Just a Dragon'..These thoughts angered Gore to an extreme extent. Dragons were greater and will always be greater than these..-things-! The disdain in his eyes grew more with how she seemed to question his learning of the camera she tossed at him. Mostly due to the fact that it -was- about the camera, but also for how she looked at him. Rosalie didn't seem to say anything but Gore just felt that she was judging him in some way or even more than that, staring at him like he wasn't to be trusted..Did she think that?! Did she truly believe that he was some common Dragon or that his words meant -nothing-!? Having some loss of common sense was to be expected but the fire within his heart burned strong. Could they stand where he stood?! These thoughts filled his head, though he continued to try and keep him calm and remain friendly. After all..Despite this specific way Rosalie stared at him, there was also a warmth to them too..An acceptance. After all, she was being more kind.
Though that was how Gore was. Kindness from a -Human- was always questioned. After all there had to be some kind of ulterior motive to it.. What if she meant it though? That thought, despite what his instincts were telling him? Made the Blood Dragon pause and even stop his own judgement and paranoia of them trying to hurt him or even see him as they do.

With a faint grumble, the Dragon stared at the girl before him and clenched his fists, growling now at the thought of that wretched damned device!
"..It is the workings of pure evil and must be destroyed." Gore claimed immediately, without hesitation. Though after a moment, the Dragon shifted his stance once more, letting out a sigh. "A contraption that takes the realm in front of it and freezes it in place. The elder of the three of you had spoken about teeth..I presume that is when I attempted to crush such a..argh..wicked thing. That confirms what my thoughts claim it is. My dislike for it shall nay ever fade either. What sorcery is this to take the realm as it does and forces it to remain still! That is such a cruel fate!" It really did seem that Gore was out of touch with even the simplest of devices, but he wasn't wrong on what it did. Understanding was one thing, knowing the specifics behind it is another.
"It also gives off a bright light when it is angered.." Another growl escaped his lips. "That contraption seems quite..angered, by me as it flashed quite a lot in the passed moon. though I wish to know..The contraption you grasp..does it hold significance in some way? Am I to be forced to use such things daily?"

At first, Gore seemed to have trouble grasping what the girl was saying. 'To watch my back and I theirs.'. What did she mean by that? Wasn't it a given that she would be keeping an eye on him just in case he broke her rules?!
"Hold my words to be true, mistress..believe what I say. There will nay be a single moon that passes where I am not there to watch over you..I know not what watching ones back means but if it means what I believe it to mean, then aye. I..would be honored, if you were to watch over me as well. Believe such or not..hah, Not a single human has ever said such a thing to me. 'Tis the opposite of ways..They would speak such cruelties and made sure that I held knowledge of the consequence if I were to fail at protecting them. I would receive a far greater punishment. When I was ill and recovering from the falling of rubble upon my head, my human had tripped and I was.." Clenching his fist, he continued after a deep breath. "I had been too wary too catch him in time. He chained me against a wall and allowed people to pelt me with stones until he felt that it was enough. Him meeting the ground had to be repaid by me meeting a similar fate."

"You are my mistress..The title nay belongs to any other -but- you and I should address you when others are around so they know that you hold authority over me. If I do not, they may find themselves believing that I have done something to you, or that you are weak which I know that isn't so. I have seen your strength and it is befitting to be my mistress..Age is nothing to be ashamed of, After all..look upon me..do you see that I am ashamed?" He asked, knowing that it was different for him than her, but still wanted to make a point.
"I suppose if that is what my mist-..what Rosalie wishes, than I shall oblige her until she desires otherwise. Though considering my age? You are quite far from being young hah. Besides such a thing as seasons passing, you are well formed human for..well..being just that, human." Gore hadn't realized that he complimented her looks so the lack of a blush seemed fitting.

She fell quiet..Was she angry at him for how he talked about death? Judging by how Rosalie has been acted towards the fallen in battle, the Blood Dragon actually worried over how she would react to his views. Did Gore actually care whether or not she liked him in some regard? That's impossible!..Right?
Years and years had passed since this ancient Dragon first encountered humanity and since the very first day? He knew that he was anything -but- approachable to them. Fear was always residing in the eyes of the people around him and he was anything but Human. Really? He'd prefer to be a monster in their eyes than be a corrupt infant.
"Nay need your thanks, mis-..Rosalie. I granted such words to you and I, unlike many..believe I am bonded with honor and loyalty towards you and your wishes..nay the less, You hold my thanks as well..this is the first time a human had been kind to me in any such ways..You will always be able to rely upon me, all ye need to is give word." He still seemed to be struggling with what to call her.
Mumbling? A blink came from Gore when he was trying to recall what exactly he mumbled and when it hit him, his eyes widened. He didn't want to tell her..but he couldn't lie.
"My words..nay would such harm you in anyway..I merely was stating that my own actions throughout my kind and yours..I hope to change such fates, To use the hatred I feel for the better and not the worse. I am far from naive for I am fully aware of the actions that lay behind me, Though one day, hopefully my actions will be for a greater cause than just pure survival."

The Blood Dragon had no idea why he just told her that. Genuinely not wanting to, it came as a shock that he would even start when he had the opportunity to tell her different. Lying wasn't his style but..That was a bit personal and she could use it against him if she so wished!
Moving his claws to his face, he rubbed his eyes. Ignorant to how long the two brothers would take to return, he did hope that they would come back soon so he could learn of his new hearth.
"If we must, we should take the risk of flying to your hearth under the cover of night..My size may be a detriment, aye..but it is possible. The way we had suggest is safer for others to not know of who I am, and will even grant us ways for travelling within this form..but leaving such decisions up to those two may not be best because after all? you are my mistress.."

With that, he looked up when he thought he heard something, thinking that maybe the two finally decided to come back. If they did, what exactly would they be forcing him to dress in?..

Rosalie blinked a couple of times, the side of her mouth curving up slowly in a slight cringe. She had no idea what Gore was going on about. Three weeks ago, he had been the one to laugh at her attempt at holding a sword and having it shakily poised at him. The young woman folded her arms, looking to the side with a distant stare, unseeing of what was before her. “I’m surprised you’d even say that, you know. Some people would call that being stupid.” She smirked lightly, laughing bitterly. “I’m an idiot...for not thinking about the consequences...but what can you do?” Rosalie gave a defeated sigh, gaze falling now on the Blood Dragon, “And weren’t you laughing at me before?” She didn’t sound mad, just curious. She looked like she wanted to laugh at that - at how ironic it was that she would end up as the owner of a legend and have him compliment her having courage comparable to a warrior. If he hadn’t noticed already, that was not the path that she planned on taking, and yet, he seemed so sure as if he had all the evidence he needed and was waiting for time to tell. Rosalie stared back into Gore’s eyes, “Hmm.. forget it. Sometimes.. Desperation leads you to do some stupid things. Me? Staying and wandering about a place as dangerous as that.. was one of them.” As Gore had said, she could have been taken by the hunters. She had been very close to being taken in by them and if she had, she would no doubt would her life have taken a very different turn.

Mouth slightly dropping open for a few seconds, Rosalie closed it again as she thought of a retort to the Blood Dragon’s claims. She could relate to him with her initial disliking of the device, but she did not go as far as to condemn if as witchcraft. Gore says it as if it were a bad thing, but for her, she thought it was a rather ‘magical’ invention and quite handy on her part. “It isn’t a cruel fate.. It’s not hurting anyone. You’re still here, aren’t you? You aren’t exactly motionless after having it flash at you.” She smirked lightly. “It’s not.. angry at you as you say. That’s normal for it to flash like that unless you want to turn the flash off.. Besides..” Rosalie continued, pacing about, looking once over at the humanoid before back in the direction of town, “it might not be much use to you, but to me..or other people it is. Reason being is that sometimes..you want to preserve specific events, memories that mean something to you. For example, you can look back and revisit a certain event. I can look back at pictures of myself where I was much younger for example. Hmm.. Maybe you won’t even need something like this thanks to your memory, but for us... I guess you could say that it’s.. fleeting.” The girl wasn’t going to force him to use it, but it was an entertaining thought to have Gore figure out what did what.

Rosalie listened to what had happened in the past should as a consequence of Gore not being able to catch his owner in time. She thought it was silly to punish a dragon based on that fact alone, but it could have just been her. Throughout his account, Gore would have noticed Rosalie trying to hide her look of disbelief. Were people really that unreasonable? She gave a humourless laugh to fill the silence, more a habit when she believed things had grown too quiet. “The fault is yours.. is what I’m guessing the people clearly believed. In my opinion... and I’m sure Eric and Sigmund would agree, is that it wasn’t yours. It was his fault for not watching where he was going in the first place. Hehe.. Your old owner sounds like such a pompous klutz.” She laughed at the thought, at how stupid it was, but immediately stopped herself once she realised Gore was obviously not so amused. “Hmm.. Oops...” She looked away, taking a few steps back as she mumbled a quick apology. “Anyways... yes. I’ll watch out for you. I kinda figured that maybe, in a way, I owe you. Also, Gore. That’s what your previous owner would have done. Just try letting me trip and then we’ll see what happens.”

She noticed Gore was struggling with how she wanted him to address her, but she really couldn’t care enough to set him straight. Some might even argue that she was not as ‘creative’ as his previous owner, but she obviously had a different sense of humour and her father had raised her better than that. Besides, she thought, running her fingers through her hair, making sure that there were no knots, it wouldn’t have been how her parents would have wanted her to act. Of course, she had never been taught how to handle a dragon, but she seemed to be okay with how things were for the moment.. At least until she could figure out what to do from here.
What could Gore possibly have meant by that? The girl regarded him a little more differently than she had done so earlier. She couldn’t believe what she had just heard. The dragon was complimenting her appearance? Really? “Well.. Uhh.. Thanks.. I guess.” Rosalie did not know what to make of that, but she guessed she was a bit flattered. Having him compliment how ‘brave’ she had been and along with her appearance? She’ll take it as him being nice.

“And ‘give word’, hmm? Heh, alright, then. I’ll hold you to it.” She nodded firmly, smirking when she noticed Gore had corrected himself again. “Seeee? It’s not that difficult, is it? And.. Your reasoning.. is interesting. I’ll give you that.” Rosalie would have to keep an eye on him just to make sure she understood what he was trying to get at. Perhaps it could be that she did not fully trust him and was trying to exploit him, but on the other hand, she could be genuinely curious.
“I trust the two brothers.” Rosalie piped up with a tone filled with confidence. “They’ve been there for me longer than I can say with most people. I can understand your reluctance, Gore, but if I could rely on anyone to come back with a plan, it’s them.”

As if on cue, the brothers made their arrival, making Rosalie’s eyes light up with amusement. She really was looking forward to finding out what they had brought back to wrap Gore up in. It could have been seen as even a bit mean, but the girl dearly hoped it was something amusing but at the same time, inconspicuous. “Eric, Sigmund! Welcome back!”
“Thank you, Rosalie.” Eric replied as he stepped closer to her, showing off one of the items he had brought back with him. It was a cloak that seemed like it would fit him more than it would Gore. “This was all I could find that would cover his head and form a bit. Sigmund brought back a long coat.. “
“Hey, hey, hey! Don’t forget the prize, Eric.” The oldest of the three chirped, bringing into view what appeared to be a pair of sunglasses, holding it out for Gore to inspect if he wanted. “Kinda snazzy if you ask me.”
“What person would wear shades during the night?” Eric asked in a tone that suggested he had been arguing about it earlier with his brother.
“Oh, it could have been worse. I was thinking to bring in large mittens, or the gloves father uses for work..but of course it would be a hassle trying to return them before he noticed.” He then held out to Gore what Rosalie had assumed to be the long coat earlier, one that was a pale grey in colour. It might even be a little short for Gore, but it was better than nothing. As long as it would hide his claws, then she couldn’t care any less what colour it was. The sunglasses, on the other hand, were a bright yellow Rosalie couldn’t help but cringe at. At least it was dark. “Rosalie, you do realise these were once yours, right?”
“Mhm, I know. Just, of all the things you could have brought with you, why that? I have other pairs.”
“And.. I don’t wanna go rummaging through your drawers..”
Rosalie began to blush at that point, but glad it was hidden by the darkness. “Yeah. Good point. Shhh! Moving on!” She spun to Gore and gestured that he try a few things on. “Gore, you can have the final say.”
“With what we’ve brought with us, you don’t have to put them all on, though that would be something to see.” Sigmund added as a second thought.

The Blood Dragon couldn't help but chuckle at her explanation, nodding as he tried to catch his breath.
"Hahaha, 'Tis a thing aye? A fine line lies between stupidity and bravery. Picking the wretched thing up was both, assuredly the tales told of me rang through your mind as you did. That said..placing the blade back down? Few possess such heart, even fewer would do so in front of me .. Many years ago in days long passed, Women were never allowed to fight in the fields of battle. They usually were left to clear out the fallen and help care for the wounded." Looking over his new owner, Gore just smiled. "Had you been on the battlefields centuries ago and shown the courage to set your weapon down, others would have followed and found less than bloodshed and perhaps more of an understanding that my kin and I are far from animals..Aye we're savage and violent, though we still think and hold our own beliefs over all as -you- do."
The second she had spoken of him actually laughing at her, made Gore grin. He fought it as hard as he could and it was obvious sense he moved his hand to his mouth, but he nodded as well, sighing.

"Aye, 'twas laughter you had, little one..The way your hand had grasped upon the blade was wrong, even if the wretched sword was alive..Looking at you, the blades upon you seem to be more fitting. -That- weapon though..if you had used it in such a way then more likely than not you would have forced it out of your grip and possibly ended up smacking your face into my scales..Nay would you be the first human to do that.."
Looking down at his claws, the ancient Dragon thought back to all the people he killed and actually wondered whether or not one of them setting their weapons down would have made a difference. The truth was? There was a reason why he was known as Gore, The Blood Dragon. Furious...That's all Gore was back then. He wanted to decimate every last damned pest in the realm and consume the ash they left behind. Those who were lucky to live? He wanted to make -them- slaves. Forcing them to live the life they had made his brothers and sisters take in stride.

Hearing Rosalie bring up the camera made him snap right out of the thought he was having.
"..Remains to be seen, Aye I am here now..but perhaps the flames within me burn too brightly. What if it takes more of those things you call pictures and it consumes me from within. -Then- I would be an animal. That device could very well be the workings of whatever creature created the dark magic that those two had used against me weeks ago.."
With that, he moved to lean his back against a tree, watching her. The Dragon was clearly trying to get comfortable in this form and seeing as how he hadn't used it in some time? It must be driving him nuts. Gore tried hiding it though.
"Different I am not..Nay do I hold such few years in my life, but you see your memories as portions of your existence in the realm. I see my memories in much the same way..There are just more of them. I forget them..I forget faces and names just as any human could. I remember that in which holds importance but..I forget others. I remember my first master yet I do not remember the second..I also remember of this time when a 'legendary' knight had come for me, claiming to have done battle with me prior. I could not recall his face at all. When he told me his name and found me to be ignorant, he started to yell and exclaim who he was repeatedly..Humans are such strange creatures..It was as if he expected to live passed engaging me in the way he had planned.."

"Fleeting.." Looking down at his claws, the Blood Dragon extended his hands to stare at how sharp they were.
"..When I was nameless, a youngling mind you..Perhaps the size of a hound..I wish I could recall the look upon my elders faces..my father and mother. If this camera works as you claim, then nay. You are wrong to assume that my memories lack such fleeting notions. Had that wretched device been amongst the realm so very long ago, I would have insisted on taking such a thing as a picture. I can imagine my father would look displeased and my mother look confused but that is of no importance.."
It seemed that the Blood Dragon was slowly accepting the idea of a Camera as well as him using it. The look he had on his face as he talked was one of nostalgia and sadness. Sadness that he would never see his family again or see a life long passed.

Looking up, Gore actually stared at the girl who said what -she- did. Rosalie, his mistress actually supported him? To care that he was pelted alone was unlike any human would have done but beside that, she disagreed with the punishment?
"..Humans are insects..They care little for what a Dragon feels, after all we are mere cattle to them. Less then, even..They took pleasure in pelting me as they take pleasure in what they do to my brothers and sisters now..but.." With a genuine look of confusion, he smiled at her. "..You hold my deepest thanks, mistress..Nay would your ancestors have thought that. Had I held one such as you to be my owner many moons ago? I hold true belief that my view upon your kind would not be as..low, as it is. You..are quite kind. Though I had known this since you pulled out the damned arrows those archers shot into me.." Letting out a mumble, it was obvious that Gore was slowly becoming more and more tired. Who knows how well he slept the night prior outside the hotel, let alone the last time he slept before that.
"Nay! I would nay allow that to happen. If you are to trip, I will be there to catch you and make sure you are well..Hah, aye though..he was."

The ancient Dragon never noticed how his owner was taking his compliments but one thing he did notice was how she reacted to the way he spoke.
"The way I speak my words..Is it as strange as your expression says it is? Over the centuries, I have changed the way I have spoken several times because your kind nay longer could understand 'Thou' or 'Thee'. The last to speak to me, or rather..taught me to speak? Spoke as this. Aye it may be different than what you are used to but..The way I hold words is something I nay wish to change..The lads you brought to me seem to enjoy it..Does it bother -you- though mistress?" If that was the case, he'd do everything he could to change it.
Looking at her with a smirk, he flashed a fang at her.
"I will be here for the rest of your days mistress..hopefully one day, despite the fact that you are a human..you and I shall trust one another completely. After all, The words I speak are what I truly believe and will always attempt to keep the promises I make-"

Looking up at the two brothers who carried the items in their hands, he immediately recoiled somewhat at the sight of the glasses Rosalie held out for him. Staring at them for a moment, he reached over to grab them, placing them on his eyes before immediately taking them off, letting out a reptilian growl. Despite the humanoid form he had, it was obvious that was a Dragon. Rubbing his eyes, he immediately spoke out.
"The wretched item has blinded me!" He spoke out in an over exaggerated tone, rubbing his eyes viciously. With a shake of his head, he moved to grab the trench coat the man offered, pulling it over himself before grabbing the cloak, staring at the humans for a moment. Did they really intend to make him wear this like -they- wanted?
Pulling the cloak over his head, he moved it over his horns before wrapping the cloak around his neck before having it come down his back which gave a type of ranger look. The cloak helped hide his face and horns as well as fit the coat. With his already darker clothes, it looked like he could actually pass for a strong bred human.

"..Well..what are your thoughts?" He asked, looking at the group..

Rosalie had pursed her lips into a thin line upon being given that little bit of information by Gore. Women wielding swords? That would have no doubt been frowned upon - laughed at, even! Whether Gore was just keeping that to himself or it had slipped his mind, it was unclear to her, but perhaps she could give him the benefit of the doubt and say that he was keeping it to himself out of respect. She acknowledged him with a nod of her head even though she was still unconvinced. Would men, brave soldiers, really have listened to what would have been considered a 'mere' or 'weak' woman? Personally, she would have liked to prove them wrong, but of course the past could not be changed. The girl noticed that Gore was smiling, though, and began to wonder if it was a genuine smile. "That's.. interesting, though I doubt men would listen to us back.. whenever it was you fought." Not only had the dragon kept himself from laughing, by how it had appeared to her, but he had also seemed to be enlightening her to what would have happened if she had charged for him with the weapon she had picked up on the field. It certainly was a ’Bad idea she told herself, but that wouldn’t have been the only bad idea she had. There were many. Sneaking Gore into town, for instance could be counted as one of them.

The camera was starting to settle with Gore - faster than Rosalie had expected, actually, but it only meant that she would be able to move on with showing him different things that the world had come to accept and use while it was it lacked his presence. It was beginning to seem that the more she spoke to him, the more he was beginning to seem almost.. Human. She wasn’t, by all means, accepting enough to not see him as the beast that fueled peoples’ nightmares, but by speaking to him like this, listening to him talk about him starting out young and innocent, she was starting to be convinced that she was talking to a person..a real person and not just a humanoid.

“Hmm.. Let me put it this way: If I were going to fall off the edge of some place dangerously high, then of course I would expect a little help. Pelting you just because you fail to catch me if I trip, as I had said, is.. silly.” She shook her head at him, regarding him carefully for a bit whilst looking about ready to say more, but immediately dropped it and answered his other question instead. “ And no.” Rosalie was wearing a smirk that matched Gore’s as she folded her arms, trying to size him up like a child who believed they knew it all. “It doesn’t bother me.. I hope the legendary dragon isn’t self-conscious of his speech.” The last bit, she added teasingly before becoming serious again, though it didn’t help when she saw the dragon’s reaction to her shades. Even the two brothers couldn’t help but share a smile.

“That’s great! I wouldn’t have guessed it.” Sigmund spoke up after a little while of checking that Gore did not look too out of place. He seemed to be more excited than concerned that they were going to sneak a dragon into their house. With Eric, though, it was much less obvious. It seemed he was always thinking, always balancing out his older brother whose enthusiasm could sometimes cloud his sense of judgement. It was safe to say that the older was much more easy-going.
“That would.. suffice.” Eric mumbled in a tone that would almost have gone unheard by Rosalie if she hadn’t been standing right beside him. “We still have to consider how many people would be out during the night, but.. it’s not something we should worry about too much.”
Rosalie nodded upon hearing the comments. If anyone asked, they could pass him off as no more than a traveller looking for a place to stay.
With a little more discussion on what route to avoid and which to take that went on for a few minutes, they were off with Eric taking the lead this time. It was clear he was still worried about the bear, but the assurance that Gore was with them helped him move boldly and quickly through the dark. Rosalie had taken to walking alongside Eric, but would sometimes fall back to speak to Sigmund and Gore.

The night, much like it was in the forest outside of town, was fairly quiet with only just a handful of people outside. The fact of it being a bit cooler than usual also could have contributed to how still it was. Light shining from behind windows of tall buildings subtly lit the streets and made everything seem so welcoming and safe at the same time even though there were no voices to greet any of the four figures moving through the veil of night - not that any of them particularly needed it. Having the town settle after the battle three weeks ago was all the welcome the three young adults walking through Kalandor actually needed. They all had to admit, though, that it was a much better sight than seeing injured hunters limp about and be tended to out on the streets.

The effort of restoring the confidence people had in this town had not been an easy one and already the brothers had heard of five families that have moved away -with more expected to leave- because of it. At least that was what Sigmund was telling Rosalie in a low tone as they walked on. For one of the families that had moved out, she seemed to smile widely at. “I never liked her anyway.” Rosalie laughed dryly at the thought. “And didn’t you like her at one point, Siggy?”
“Yes. Well.. that’s all in the past now, Rosie. Don’t go opening up old wounds. You can really hurt me!” Sigmund feigned a whimper before reaching over to ruffle Rosalie’s hair much to her displeasure.
Eric turned to look over his shoulder before bringing a finger to his lips, the gesture accompanied with a sharp glare and even though they could not see too well in the dark, they knew very well how dangerous and serious the youngest looked when irritated.
“Sorry.” Sigmund and Rosalie mumbled in unison. The girl, when Eric had turned back around, childishly stuck her tongue out at Sigmund before ducking away from his hands to ‘walk’ alongside Gore. He knew she was hiding, but slowed down with a plan to tug her over to him when she wasn’t aware. “Gore?” Sigmund said in a low tone of voice, “Can I ask you some things? Why did you just suddenly disappear for all those years? Eric and I have studied whatever texts we could, but they were always different in conclusion. Some say you ran away and others say you were defeated. Which was it?” Rosalie patiently waited until Sigmund was occupied before slowly sneaking away to stay with Eric. It was solely Gore’s choice to whether he answered Sigmund’s question or not. She wasn’t going to make it an order for him to answer, either.

The group eventually slowed when their destination was in sight. Reaching their home, the trio finally relaxed upon knowing that they would not have to feel on edge each time they passed someone on the street who looked at them briefly then at the ‘traveller’ with them. It brought a smile to Rosalie’s face as they moved to the backyard where a shed could barely be seen in the dark, but by then, all she wanted to do was go up to her room and collapse on her bed. Why she hadn’t just done so already was because they needed to find a place to keep Gore hidden in for a bit. If Gore had an opinion on where he wanted to sleep, he was more than welcome to speak up. Spare room or not, she would be helping Eric and Sigmund arrange something, anyway. “The best place for you to stay.. I think you should have a say in this..”

The ancient dragon stared at his new mistress with surprise in his dark teal eyes. This human seemed to show something that the others Gore encountered did not. Compassion. Despite punishing him or yelling when something would go wrong, she seemed to give him the benefit of the doubt. Did she change her mind as she got to know him on their flight? After all when she first met him, she was hitting him to let her down and yelling at him to stop when he was protecting her. With a sigh, the Dragon couldn't answer the questions he had and out of respect, wouldn't ask his new mistress what he was thinking. Instead he would follow these humans to where they wanted to keep him. It wasn't that Gore trusted them and yes he could fly off without much of a fight behind him. Honor. Honor was the reason why very few dragons ever attempted escaping. Fleeing in the face of oppression was the opposite of what a Dragons believed in. After all, these humans..Rosalie in particular. Changing her mind or not, she did save him from an execution. That and her compassion interested him. No other human seemed to be like her and the other two that followed suit, they were interested in him not violent or aggressive. Was his tale really that renowned?..He didn't know but he wanted to find out.

Continuing along the mountain side, The Blood Dragon looked around the grounds that were a battlefield a mere three weeks ago. There were still stains of blood on trees and even a few pieces of the hunters that were launched in the air. With a gruff, the scent of the hunters had lingered, Doubting the humans could catch the scent, the Dragon remained quiet. Maybe it would be best if they didn't know there were still bodies out here from the onslaught against him..
As they started to leave the mountain side, Gore's eyes widened at the sight of a Ballista arrow that dropped after hitting him. The weapon looked rusted and bent in places from hitting him. With a cringe, The Dragon slowly moved closer to the sight, staring at the damage it suffered from hitting him as well as crashing into the ground, leaving a trail of rippled ground in its wake. Getting closer to it, now he could see the ports where the fire blasted out, causing it to hurt him more when it hit. Tilting his head at it, his mind started to work on how he could stop it from hurting him as much as it did and possibly how to use it against his enemies if they decided on this type of weapon.

Looking ahead, all Gore could hear was the siblings teasing one another, making him move closer to pay more attention. Watching as the brother ruffled his mistress hair actually made the Dragon tense, groaning silently at their banter. Humans were so confusing! They wanted to stay out of sight but they were playing around and teasing one another. With a faint grumble, the Blood Dragon sighed and simply shrugged. It must be something only they were into. Why did they find their shortened names terrible and even tease about ex-mates? When Dragons mated, it was for life and the loss of one meant a horrible fate for the survivor as well. With another sigh, his dark eyes fell over the quiet one of the three siblings. Eric seemed to be methodical in his actions, With a smile, Gore stopped when he heard something from a distance. Looking around, nothing was in sight. Staring at the three, he cringed at what he heard.
"They shant notice, aye?.." Muttered the Blood Dragon under his breath, knowing he could get back before the three even realized he was gone. Turning around, he quickly ducked away into an alley, using his claws to help climb up a building to get a better look at where the noise was coming from. The second he got to the roof of the building, he heard crying.

Gore quickly ran toward it, stopping to see a group of boys throwing a girl in the mud, taking her doll. They seemed to be laughing at her.
"Hahaha, your father wasn't man enough to go fight the Blood Dragon but ours? They came back! Out of the few too! You are just like him. You look good covered in mud Patty..At least your doll is clean right?" Said one, picking up the doll to wipe it off. "Maybe we should keep this as a reward for making a wimpy coward like you squirm.."
Staring down at them, Gore clenched his claws with a faint growl. After a moment, a large tail whipped down from the building, grabbing the boys wrist, causing him to drop the doll. Within an instant, the tail grabbed the doll as the boys all stumbled back at the sight of the Blood Dragon lowering his body down the building, closing the distance between him and the bullies within seconds, snapping his jaws shut in front of them before letting out a reptilian snarl. The boys all seemed to shriek and one even started to wet himself as they turned and quickly ran away.
With a huff, Gore nodded his Dragon head and looked at the girl, moving his tail over to her, picking her up out of the mud and setting her down, gently wiping the mud off her face, placing the doll in her hands gently.

With a faint smile, The Dragon quickly ran down into an empty street, shifting back as he started to move quickly, actually catching up with the three siblings without much of a fuss. Looking around, he saw the bullies he scared off, flashing a fang from how widely he was smiling. The streets were practically empty and he moved quick so the chances of anyone hearing about the Blood Dragon being in town were slim, along with anyone being able to tell it was Rosalie who owned him..right?
Whether or not he was noticed by anyone in town, he wondered if the three even recognized that he was gone for the few minutes he disappeared. If they had, he would just be vague with his answer, saying that he saw something new that caught his attention.

Looking at Siggy at his question, he didn't say anything. Thinking back to what happened in the days long passed, Gore looked toward his mistress, then back at Siggy.
"I recall such events..The skies were furious and angry as the clouds raged and stormed. Though to flee, a battle must have taken place. Humans create something where there is nothing to feel enlightened of themselves. Folly to such things lad.. Why is of no consequence nay is what truly happened. Merely know that Humans are cruel in what they had done and in turn, others suffered for it."
With that he didn't say anything else on the topic, nor did he want to. If his mistress asks, he would tell but until then, there were some things he wanted to keep to himself.

Finally! they arrived at his mistress' hearth, causing him to look around at all the places he could stay. They were still going back and forth about where it should be and of course, Rosalie surprised him with her offer to let him choose.
"You hold my thanks, Mistress..I..Prefer sleeping on the ground, Beds are too soft and a shed is too confining. Sleeping in this form brings great unease.." Looking at the few, he simply nodded. "The shed, aye? Taking that will be fine. Though before you send me to my..'chambers'. Is there anything you need, mistress?" He asked, looking at her. "I, as your Dragon can aid you in your daily life as well as prepare you meals for the day." He said, looking at her.