strawberry cake | tcf

02 - the plague

______________________

The next day came by and the young dragon was sitting across the table from the old man. They were currently eating breakfast and she kept on glancing at him which made him slightly uncomfortable.

The man couldn't bear it anymore and decided to ask, "Is there something you want to say?"

"Old man, the loudmouth Ahjussi was saying weird stuff yesterday. What does he mean when he said that you knew how to have fun?"

Cough- cough-

Xavier choked on his food as he heard the child's words, he quickly grabbed a glass of water and drank it in one go.

As he emptied the glass, he slammed it down the table a little too hard but not enough to break it. His e/c eyes focused on the child who was staring back at him with an inquisitive look.

'I knew she would ask that! That damn idiot, Robert! I'll make sure to lecture him about saying such things in front of children!'

He laughed nervously and scratched his cheek "You... Don't have to know." He then continued to eat his meal.

The dragon frowned at his answer. She doesn't understand why she doesn't have to know, isn't it good to gain knowledge?

"Why is that? Am I not qualified to know this information? Do I have to pass a test to do so?" She threw out questions one after another which made Xavier sweatshop.

"It's nothing like that..."

"Then what is it, old man?"

The man used the fork he was holding to poke a piece of meat that was on his plate, "Kids shouldn't know about those..."

"But I'm not a kid! I'm a big girl now, I can handle it!" The child exclaimed before slamming both of her fists onto the table and looking at the male with a determined expression. She was adamant to know what the blonde meant.

"No can do, kiddo."

"Hmph."

They both continued eating when the young dragon suddenly remembered something she wanted to ask "Old man,"

Xavier looked at the child while still chewing his food "What does the Ahjussi mean when he said that you helped their village?"

The mage swallowed his food and spoke, "Ah, that? It's quite a sad story but I'll tell you if you want."

He got an eager nod from the child who had a sauce stain on the corner of her mouth. The man grabbed a napkin and wiped it away.

"Alright then. So, a few years ago, a disease suddenly started infecting people which led to a lot of them getting sick, and worse, dying."

The child let out a gasp, the fork she was holding fell on her plate "Oh no! Those poor humans!"

The man patted the child's head and smiled sadly as he thought back to what happened, "Yes, it was tragic, a lot of people suffered back then. Robert then called me and informed me of what was going on, one of our friends died so I decided to go to the village and brought healing potions with me to help them out. I also asked a few priests I know to come with me to help cure the sick."

"Are the people okay now?"

"Yes, they're good now. Although, unfortunately, we couldn't save everyone..." Xavier closed his eyes and let out a deep sigh. The purple dragon observed how the man had a sad look on his face. She thought for a bit before speaking,

"Old man, do not feel guilty! You helped a lot of people, that's what's important! I, the great and mighty purple dragon, think that you are very cool for what you did!"

The mage smiled and let out a chuckle before patting the girl's head "It's such an honour to get complimented by a dragon, thank you very much." He said half-jokingly.

The young dragon puffed her chest before grabbing her fork with a piece of meat still stabbed into it, "Now you better cheer up old man! Stop frowning!"

The two continued to eat their meal, occasionally chatting about random things. The man felt that he should protect the young dragon at all costs and guide her to the right path.