In The Arms Of The Beasts

Cold to the touch

A few days later
I hadn't seen either of the beasts in a few days but at least they fed me I guess. If there weren't guards, I could skip out between the bars and make a run for it but I think they'd be able to smell me.

I also had no where else to go so there was no point in trying, sure I could run away and start a new life out on my own probably turning myself into a barn cat but as nice as that would be...hardly anyone has escaped a dragon and lived to tell the tale.

On the bright side, it wasn't the worst situation to be in, I get fed, I have a stable roof over my head and I get to play with the guards!

I sat right up against the bars prodding them with my tail "one of these days, I'm gonna kill this thing!" I poked my head out looking at him "What?! How?! You know what! Doesn't matter, just get back in there!" His hand shoved my head through the bars

"Hey man, don't be so rough! She's just playing" That voice...I know that voice! The red-haired dragon from the throne room, right? I sped to the corner of the cell ready to pounce on the newcomer as he opened the cell door before closing it behind him "where'd you get all this energy, huh? You refused to eat for the last few days"

He must've predicted my moves. Out of nowhere, there was this circle on the floor which kept moving around the room...and I moved after it "Hey, check it out! Looks like she just needed some kind of entertainment" i couldn't help but look at him for a second, he'd made himself right at home.

There he sat cross-legged with a bowl of what smelled like chicken broth placed a little away from him with a mirror in hand tilting it , he was the cause if the light circle! How had I not figured that out?! I sat opposite him "You're quite the charmer aren't you?"

my eyes studied each feature of the being before me, the spikey crimson hair, his sharp teeth, the bandana around his neck loosely, and all his dragon kin features. "you were in the throne room...you set me 'free'" His hand rubbed the back of his neck "I wouldn't call it 'free' just yet. The king still hasn't made his verdict"

my claws mindlessly ran over the scars around my neck "it beats my previous situation still" he outstretched his hands with a bright smile painted across his face "I'm Kirishima" without thinking, I was sniffing his hand "no tricks, promise" I straightened back up guiltily "uh sorry, old habits. My name is Arisu" I could see him mentally take note

"This is awesome! We've established communication!" I tilted my head "do you take me for some kind of savage?" panic spread through his body like wildfire "What?! No! Never! There's just pillars we have to establish and all the boring political stuff before we y'know...decide whether you live or die and that"

ages ago I'd read up on the dragon court requirements, I still remembered most of it but there were things I'd forgotten, like how if you failed the requirements...well you got eaten. It was similar to the catfolk really but it depends on how bad your crime was, those who couldn't be 'saved' got fed to the desperate. And everyone knows how far they're willing to go to survive.

Not long before I left, I was close to becoming desperate but I was weird so of course they'd trade the odd one out. Catfolk like formation, same mindset, same ideas, nothing that would cause anyone to fight or draw attention...then I was born, just a stray on the streets, kid who always wanted to explore and see the different kingdoms. I was always way too inquisitive for my own good and look where that got me? a captive in the dragon kingdom on the line of life or death.

"I'm okay either way" it was his turn to be confused "You're not afraid?" I shook my head, little did he know - my left ear twitches when I lie. And this was a hell of a lie! "I grew up as a mangey street cat, worked my ass off to get somewhere in the world. First real opportunity they get, they trade me for information from a fake fortune teller. After the humans had their fun, thrown their punches, put me in my so-called 'place'...they corner me, shut me in that damn box and next thing I know I'm on your doorstep left for dead - fun, right?"

There was this look of pity on his face that I hated, it made him look so sad. immediately, I put the bowl to one side and wrapped my arms around him "I'm sorry I made you feel this way" he was still speechless when the guards outside noticed I was too close

"What? No its okay! Leave us" his arms wrapped around me before I could let go "What they did, that was no way to treat one of their own. This could help you in the courtroom...Can I pass it on to the king?" I took in his scent slowly, it was a mix of burnt marshmallow and musky-ashy smell. "Fine, but no one else except the crown wearer...please?"

He pulled away grasping my shoulders holding me in front of him "Of course! This stays in between the three of us" a grateful smile spread across my face "Thank you, it uh means a lot" we talked back and forth for a few more hours, turns out that food dish was for me after all so I ended up eating that before it was time for my new found friend to leave. Who knows what could happen tomorrow with the information I gave him?