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Lauma couldn’t say she wasn’t surprised when Albedo came to her about “babysitting his younger brother.” And she’d be lying if she said her mouth didn’t hang open a little when the alchemist presented Durin as the little brother in need of care.
But he calmly cleared things up for her and after getting over the initial shock of it all she was more than happy to help. Durin was such a sweet boy after all, if anything he’d probably try to be the one helping her.
And that’s actually what he did. When Albedo waved him goodbye he whirled around and insisted he make himself useful. Though, Lauma couldn’t help but notice as she led him through her home how his attention was caught by every little thing special about their land. Soon, his previous plan was abandoned in favor of asking her a torrent of questions about the Frostmoon Enclave.
She brought him to their library, now fully furnished thanks to the traveler. They sat down on some cushions around a low table, and when the dragon’s curiosity was sated by her answers Lauma picked out a few books for him.
They settled into silence, occasionally the moonchanter was approached by one of her people for a question or two but besides that it was very peaceful.
After a while, a weasel squeaked at the entrance.
“Yes?” Lauma lifted her head, and Durin looked at her in confusion.
It gave a more agitated squeal and hopped from side to side. “I’ll be right there,” the moonchanter called back as she stood, looking down to give Durin a polite smile, “I will return in just a moment.”
The dragon watched in awe as she made her way over and started talking to the weasel as if it was just another acquaintance. Soon an angry looking mole popped up, the moonchanter made the two take turns squeaking and sniffling until they calmed down. In the end she gave them each a pat on the head and they went their separate ways.
She gave a soft laugh at the look on Durin’s face as she sat back down beside him, “Your first time seeing something like that I presume?”
“Yeah,” the dragon looked from her and the spot the animals were, “Were you really talking to them?” He leaned a little closer, staring up at her with wide, starry eyes as his tail wagged with excitement, “Can you teach me how to?”
Lauma let out a heartier chuckle at the adorable display, one hand came up to loosely covered her mouth as the other reached out pet the hair between Durin’s horns. “Sorry little one,” she huffed, still suppressing her laugh, “I’m afraid it’s something that comes naturally, I can’t teach it to others.”
“Oh,” the dragon drooped, “that’s okay, I just thought that if I could talk to them they wouldn’t be so scared of me…”
The moonchanter’s smile fell as she tilted her head, “What do you mean?”
“Ah, right it just, um…” Durin scratched the back of his head, “I have abyssal energy inside me and it scares away most small animals, even the bigger ones don’t particularly like me.”
“I see…” Lauma muttered, brow furrowing, “that explains why the little ones earlier didn’t want to come too close.”
“Sorry, if there was some way to change it I would.”
“Well…” the moonchanter gave him a small smile, “maybe I could?”
Durin tilted his head, “How?”
“Maybe you can rest on my lap?” Lauma patted her thigh, “The animals love to sleep next to me, so when they come they might not see you as a threat, but rather a fellow friend of mine.” She gave an amused smirk as she imagined the situation, “And of course I’ll be happy to tell them how sweet you are once they’re close enough.”
The dragon frowned nervously as he focused on interlacing his fingers, “Are you sure they won’t just attack me?”
“I won’t let them, I swear it,” the moonchanter affirmed.
After another moment of hesitation the dragon flopped down on Lauma’s lap, she couldn’t help but to begin petting him like a cat. Durin’s tail swayed lightly as the moonchanter carded her fingers through his hair. The soft repetition lulled him until he had all but forgotten about the point of this. He gave a pleased hum when she moved to stroke his wing, and she could have sworn that there was a faint purring.
Their peace was eventually interrupted by a shrill and panicked caw, “Miss Moonchanter! Miss Moonchanter!” A finch circled above her as it cried, “Are you okay? That creature on your lap is dangerous!”
“Is it holding you down with its corrupted powers?” A cat white as snow chimed in, stalking along her side at a safe distance.
“Even if my strength is meager compared to this foe I am willing to clash antlers for the sake of your protection.” A rimehorn deer came up from the opposite side, lowering its head as if considering what angle would be right to throw Durin from Lauma’s lap without hurting her.
They were more aggressive than the moonchanter had estimated, though she felt a twinge of gratitude, for she could tell that they were only trying to protect her. “Please,” She wouldn’t scold her friends, she only wishes to change their minds about this little dragon. “I implore you to re-evaluate your words.” She projected her voice, same as she would for giving speeches to her people, “He is a living being, same as you.” She looked at the bird, “He has wings,” the deer, “horns,” the cat, “and a tail.” Her voice softened as she looked down at the dragon in her lap, eyes still firmly closed, “I understand that what pulses through his veins makes you uneasy, but I assure you he means no harm.”
The finch perched on her antler, scrutinizing the dragon, “I don’t know, just touching him could be dangerous.”
“Please,” the cat scoffed, leaping onto Durin’s leg and prancing up to his hip with its tail held high, “Miss moonchanter has been petting him for ten minutes and she’s fine.” They curled up on his waist, “If this big lug causes any problems I’ll give him a good clawing, but until then it’s nap time.”
The deer laid down around Lauma’s back and side, “If he has the trust of our moonchanter then I’ll give him mine too.”
After another moment of hesitation the bird flapped down to settle on Durin’s horn.
Lauma let out a soft chuckle and the dragon whispered, “Do they…like me?”
She ruffled the hair on the side of his head, amusement still present in her voice, “Yes, they do, now all you have to do is stay still.”
“Easy,” he hummed, “I was falling asleep anyways…”
And so Durin enjoyed the presence of the animals as more came to join, falling asleep to soft fur, warm bodies, and a gentle hand.
~~:3~~
When Albedo came to pick up his little brother he was not expecting to see him asleep on Lauma’s lap surrounded by a surplus of animals. A miracle, and a shame. He would have painted the scene if he had his supplies. He’ll just have to recreate it best he could from memory later.