Who's the real monster?

Pixie

    

          Talen stared in wonder at the little creature now sat in his hands. He decided it looked like one of those fictional pixies he had read about, maybe that's what he could call it. It's body was covered in tiny fluffy feathers but it's arms and legs were bare, sort of a pearlescent gray color.

          The skin almost looked like it was covered in scales but was smooth. It's wings were iridescent, and so translucent they almost disappeared as he shifted his weight. The creature reminded him of something more, he just couldn't place it in the moment.

          "My name is Talen." He told it gently, watching it's face for a reaction. He was fairly surprised it could talk, he was glad it seemed to have a good grasp on speaking Anglich at least.

          "Nice to meet you, I'm glad I'm out of that treasure room. I was in there for years!" It spread its arms wide, emphasizing. "Then some guy stole me, I don't know why, and just chucked me away when he was being chased! Somehow I rolled down here, where are we anyways?" It's little face looking up at him in curiosity.

          Talen was certain that Pixie, that's what he was calling it for now, was crazy. He had never met such an exuberant being! He would have to bear it for now, they were newly born after all, and children were supposed to be perky, he thought to himself.

          He answered Pixie reluctantly, even still hesitant to tell anyone about his favorite spot, "This is my room. It's where I go to think and.. get away from my family."

          "Oh! Are you one of those, let me think, Stygimopales? who live in the underground caves? I didn't think you would be so nice!" Pixie looked away, glancing around the room in delight.

          Talen grimaced, "Ah, yeah. Years ago we were banished from the kingdom to live down here, we aren't allowed to leave." He had learned that the hard way. He continued, "Everyone is too afraid to go aboveground, I think some even like it here, at least we don't get persecuted and bullied all the time."

          He secretly resented his clan for that. He bet if they organized their people they could do somehow end their banishment. He knew it would never happen though, his people had gotten used to the life down here. Becoming complacent and docile, it was one of the reasons he couldn't bear to be around his family, it made him depressed.

          He often wondered if the other clans felt the same way. It wouldn't matter in the long run, the thick stone gate that enclosed their main entrance was carved with numerous warnings that told of the brutality they would face if they dared defy the king.

          Pixie winced, looking down, "I didn't know you guys were forced to live down here! I only overheard what the guards in that horrid treasure room talked about, those guys were so boring!"

          Talen nodded, "I couldn't go up even if I wanted to, there are no exits, and the only exit I have ever seen is the one you fell through." The thing was, In his heart of hearts, Talen secretly craved the idea of standing outside again, experiencing the warmth of the sun. Even after they had scarred him, his curiosity was too strong.

          A loud rumble interrupted them, loose rocks around the room vibrating slightly, was it breakfast already? He hadn't realized so much time had passed!

          Meanwhile, Pixie was trembling in his hand, clutching his thumb. "What was that! Are we being attacked!?"

          Talen quickly comforted the small creature, stroking its back carefully with his pinky finger. "It's ok, it's just telling us that breakfast is available." Talen hated breakfast, and lunch. They only had the good minerals like salt for dinner, but for breakfast and lunch they had quartz, it was hard to eat, and they only ground it up on special occasions. Iron was his favorite, it was almost chewy, he liked chewy things.

          Pixie recovered quickly, "Well then let's go! I'm hungry!" Pixie was jumping around on his hand, wings fluttering excitedly.

          Oh, he hadn't thought about that, he knew birds ate insects but... what did Pixie eat? On second thought, what even was Pixie? He had never read about anything like them, and he had read a lot of books, enough that his thumbprints were faded from turning the pages.

          He set Pixie back down near the fire and sat down facing them, "Wait a minute, I need to know, what are you exactly? I've never heard of a creature like you before."

          Pixie looked confused, then smiled widely, long curved canines appearing. "Well I'm a Mastdiceae, I thought you knew."