Oh, hey, Tafel, Alora said and waved at the approaching demon. Had a nice nap?
What are you doing? Tafel asked, biting her lower lip while raising her eyebrow.
Im drawing doodles on Vurs face. Its not so weird summoning ritual, dont worry, Alora said, blinking twice. She stared at Tafel before leaning over, placing the piece of charcoal in her hand next to Vurs cheek. Without breaking eye contact with the demon, Alora drew a picture of a dog in one fluid motion. After seeing Tafels expression, Alora furrowed her brow. Does it bother you? Human faces are so unexpressive, its hard to tell.
Tafel pointed at her eyes. This is an expression that says, Wow, that was a very impressive dog you just drew. I kind of wish I took art lessons when I was little after seeing that.
Lessons? Alora asked, tilting her head. I inherited this talent naturally from my grandpaor so Grandma says. Maybe I can give you so lessons.
Tafels expression darkened. Right, I forgot. Youre Vurs family, she said and sighed. And if your teaching is anything like Vurs, I have a feeling I wont get anywhere, so Ill have to pass. I appreciate the offer though.
What do you an? Youre Vurs family too, Alora said. She paused. Are you not? Mary seems more related to Vur than you, honestly. Shes as simple and strong andoh! I know what that expression ans. Thats the one where you want to kill soone, right?
As a loving wife, I dont make expressions like that, Tafel said while smiling.
Really? I was sure you were radiating bloodlust just now, Alora said and rubbed her chin. Hmm, reading expressions is harder than I thought. Dragons are so much easier to understand. When Moms mad, she glares at . When Moms sad, she glares at . When Moms confused, she glares at . When Moms sleepy, she glares at . When Moms excited, her tail wags. See how much easier that is?
No.
Alora clicked her tongue. Thats because youre not a dragon. Youre a phoenix, right? She snorted. Those dumb birds cant even smile because of their beak.
Youd think thatd be the case, Tafel said, furrowing her brow as she recalled Minervas odd ability to manipulate her beaks as if they were lips. And phoenixes arent dumb birds. Were very smart.
Its a term of endearnt, Alora said as she picked up another piece of charcoal. She leaned over Vurs chest and doodled on a scene of a dragon eating a phoenix. Phoenixes call us stupid lizards, and we call them dumb birds. Then we kill each other when a territory dispute breaks out, but that hasnt happened in a very long ti. There arent many of us lefttheres no point in killing each other.
Youre talking as if you were around back then, Tafel said. Didnt you say you were only fifty years old or so? Have you ever t a phoenix?
I dont have to et a phoenix to know theyre dumb, Alora said, rolling her eyes. Just knowing their concept is enough: Feathers are flammable. Phoenixes produce flas. Phoenixes are their own worst enemy, are they not?
Theyre not! Tafel said. Its similar to how dragons are still able to fly despite being so heavy. It makes no sense to have such a dense body given how much ti you spend in the air.
Are you calling fat?
Tafel bit her lower lip. Were you the one who was sensitive about your weight back then?
What? You couldnt tell? Are you saying all dragons look alike now too?
Thats not what Im saying! Tafel said and stamped her foot. Stop twisting my words around. Youre the one who called a dumb bird first. She slamd the butt of her staff into the ground. Im going to start practicing now. Were you watching over Vur last night? Was he actually training?
No, Alora said, causing Tafels expression to relax. I was asleep all of last night and most of the evening and afternoon too. But Im sure Vur was training a dog, but he accidently burnt it to ashes while punishing it with lightning, and he blinded to get rid of the evidence or sothing like that.
Are you sure youre not misunderstanding sothing?
Mom says I misunderstand things a lot when it cos to taking care of the annoying trio like when she says to babysit them, I sit on top of them and dont let them move, but she doesnt know Im doing it on purpose to make her stop delegating duties to , Alora said. So, on the outside, it looks like I misunderstand a lot of things, but Im actually pretty smart, you know?
Tafel scratched her head. Did Vur actually train or not? She crouched next to her husband and frowned before placing her hands on his shoulder and shaking him awake. Vur, she said. If you sleep outside, youll catch a cold.
Vur blinked his bleary eyes. Dragons dont catch colds, he said before brushing off Tafels hands as he yawned. He rolled over to the side and resud snoring.
Tafel rolled him back onto his back and shook him awake again. Vur, what were you doing last night?
Trying to shoot down a star with lightning, Vur said through yawns.
Tafel blinked. In the ti it took her to regain her sense, Vur had fallen back to sleep. She shook him awake again. Why?
Because I can, Vur said. I want to sleep.
Wait, one last question, Tafel said. Did you succeed?
Not yet, Vur said, a tiny wrinkle appearing on his forehead. Soon.
A wry smile appeared on Tafels lips as she shook her head. Alora said you were training a dog, were you? And Alice said you were training your spells. Was she right?
You said one last question, Vur said with a frown.
This is really the last one, Tafel said, nodding.
But there were two, Vur said.
Tafel sighed. Just answer them both, please.
I forgot what you asked, Vur said, rolling over and breaking free from Tafels grip. No more.
Youre not going to wake him up again? Alora asked as Tafel stood up.
Tafel shook her head. I woke him up repeatedly at night once for reasons, and he hugged in such a way that I couldnt move an inch to even try to wake him up or break free. I couldnt escape for two days.
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