On the next page over, Mikhail noticed a large snake. It was covered in vibrant red and orange scales, going along its body almost as if it was covered in flames.
Its head was broad and flat, and its entire body was covered in keeled imbricate scales that all ended in a point. It looked fierce, and its maw was wide open, revealing two large fangs.
[The Atheris]
That was what that race of dragons was known as. And underneath its image was more context, just like the last specimen.
[Bárbaro the Beastly, circa 5,300. One of the biggest threats to Pneumakind before being slain by the mighty orc Shagar. Original painting done by Manakel the Maverick.]
"What do you think?" Azalea asked, a hint of excitement laced into her voice.
"I think he looks pretty cool."
"Yeah, and I'm gonna have a trusty companion that looks just like that by my side one day."
Mikhail nodded. "I wish you the best of luck, Azalea."
That slight smile of hers returned. "Thank you… I'm going to go get some food now. See you soon."
She closed the book and gently laid it back down on Mikhail's lap, causing a brief sting of pain.
He was now alone in that little gathering place… Leaving him with his thoughts.
'...I think I'll try to tame a dragon too. Maybe an Atheris? I wonder what other kinds of dragons there are… I'll need to read this on my own later.'
He looked down at the thick tome, slightly annoyed by the fact that his fingers were broken. And he sighed, hoping that Alaya wasn't just messing with him when she said they'd be fine by morning.
And in the midst of his lament, a familiar rowdy crowd began approaching.
"Mikhail!"
He turned around and saw everyone returning, save for Azalea of course, who had only just left a little while ago.
"Yo!" he said, waving the group back over.
Everyone sat down carrying their own plates of food, and Mikhail even moved the thick tome, holding it between his thighs as a wooden plate got set down in its place.
For a while, their little gathering was enshrouded in the jovial atmosphere of the Weekly Gathering as they silently listened to the music and happy ongoings of everyone around them.
All while everyone in the gathering dug into their food. But when Azalea returned with a plate of her own, that changed.
"Now then, we are little more than acquaintances to you at this point. Not quite friends. So, let's fix that tonight! Why don't you start us off with some questions, my good man?" Amir said after taking another bite of the food in his hand.
Somehow, despite the generous slathering of sauce, Amir's hands and face remained remarkably clean as he went in for another bite.
"Hmmm, questions, huh?"
His eyes moved across the gathering as he looked at everyone, including Azalea who was right next to him again. "Well, to start off, what's the hierarchy of strength between you guys?" he asked cautiously.
He knew that it could potentially expose some sore spots, but it was the first thing that came to mind.
"That's quite the bold question, Mikhail," Valeria said as she licked her lips of the dark sauce covering them.
"Well, I'm at the top. Valeria is a few paces behind me. Myles comes next after her. Lily after him. Azalea after her… And finally, Amir is at the bottom of the hierarchy of strength within our group," Lirim said casually.
"Unfortunately… But, it's only temporary! While Shimmer and Shade are the least offensive elements around, once I awaken a second element, I'll overtake the lot of you with my ingenuity!"
"As if," Azalea said as she took an uncharacteristically large bite of the food in her hand. "Even with a second element, I'd still outclass you."
"Hmph. You won't be so cocky in the future!" he said with a competitive fierceness Mikhail wouldn't have expected from him. It was almost admirable that such a kind hearted guy could still have room for a competitive spirit.
Competition and kindness usually didn't go well together, in Mikhail's memories. He remembered how often those who offered kindness unto others would only get stomped on by those competing with them, usually because they were too kind for their own good.
Meanwhile, Lily, Myles, and Valeria had kept quiet. They knew their own power quite well, and didn't feel the need to defend their ego.
"Actually, another question… Amir, how the hell are you keeping yourself clean?"
Mikhail watched as Amir took another bite, with none of the sauce getting him messy.
"Practice," he answered plainly before taking yet another bite.
"I've got a question too, actually," Azalea suddenly said. Mikhail looked over and saw how she turned out to be an incredibly messy eater. Sauce all over her lips and around them too.
"Pft… Yeah, what's up?"
"What's your opinion of us?"
The direct question garnered everyone's attention, including the younger folks who had been eating silently, watching the others interact with a strong sense of intrigue.
And Mikhail didn't hesitate to answer honestly, going counterclockwise through their gathering as he started off with Azalea, saying, "You're an intelligent and interesting lady, yet rather softspoken and reserved at the same time. Overall, I'd say you're pretty nice."
That soft smile of her returned, and Mikhail couldn't help but return with his own before moving onto Amir.
"You're kind of annoying, but you're a cool dude despite that."
Amir looked stunned and was about to defend himself but Valeria threw a bone at him.
"You've got no idea. The way he butts into other peoples' business with seemingly no regard for what those people feel about his intrusion is annoying as hell."
"If they are happy, Amir sees it as a plus, but he doesn't hesitate to put himself into disputes even when his presence is only another sore spot. He tries to be helpful to an annoying degree."
Amir tried to defend himself, but he could only open and close his mouth like a fish out of water.