You decide to pay a visit to Deru. His arrow points directly to a distant cave, and you walk grudgingly over, repeating over and over in your mind that Amaryllis wouldn't let me get hurt. Amaryllis wouldn't let me get hurt. Amaryllis--ohboy.
You have come to the cave, which is huge. Five of you could easily walk side-by-side into it, even if you were three times as tall. Gulping, one short, tiny you walks into the darkness.
The first thing you see is dark. Then, as your eyes get adjusted to the lighting, you begin to see some glimmers in the distance. You walk slowly forward, wondering what they are, when you suddenly feel something very heavy hit you in the side. Screaming, you jump up off of the ground, and find yourself staring into the fierce yellow eyes of a dragon.
NO! the creature shrieks. MY shinies! You no take my shinies! Bad, bad, bad you to take my shinies!
You blink. The dragon, you realize, only comes up to your waist, so you take a small sigh of relief. "I don't want to take your shinies," you assure the dragon. "Are you Deru?"
The dragon scowls. Why you want to know? he asks hotly, giving you an indignant look and sitting down.
You smile. "I'm exploring Dracogrex," you explain, "and I thought I'd like to stop by and see you! That answer sounded like a 'yes,' by the way, Deru," you add slyly, no longer feeling threatened by the dragon.
'Splore Dracogrex? Deru asks skeptically. You no want Deru's shinies?
"They're lovely shinies," you assure Deru, glancing over for the first time at the pile of glittering jewels and other lovely things, "so I wouldn't want to take them from you."
Deru cocks his head, obviously confused by the concept of you not wanting something pretty.
"See," you try to explain, "I know that you like them very much so, because I think you're nice, I don't want to take them and make you unhappy, and...forget it," you sigh, seeing that Deru doesn't look any more enlightened.
No, understand, Deru says slowly. Friend? he asks, his face brightening a bit.
You smile, happily surprised. "Yes, friends," you reply, shaking Deru's little claw.
Deru smiles shyly. Then, he says, Deru give you a shiny, so you remember him.
"You don't have to--" you say, but Deru has already scampered over to his hoarde. He digs through, and brings out a little ruby and silver bracelet to give to you.
There, Deru says, looking rather proud of himself. You maybe come back sometime, if you can?
"You bet!" you say, patting Deru on the head. "Nice to meet you, friend Deru!"
Deru makes a little happy face, proving that not every dark, angry creature has an entirely cruel heart. You wave, and return to the signpost, a little more optimistic about the Terror Realm than you were before.
Then, you see bones, and...notsomuch optimistic anymore.
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| Name: Deru
Breed: KingdomDragon Color/Type: Jade Gender: Male Age/Stage: Adult Parents: Miracle and Mist Star Adopted At: Aurora's ODA Branch (closed) |
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