Alex's first day of work was quite stressfully adventurous.
Many tasks were accumulated on his list.
For starters, He had to destroy the already accumulated waste.
Task two was to clean off her hair which was all over the cave.
Realizing he couldn't finish the hair-picking task with his hand, he put some light-dried stems from a certain tree to make a broom to sweep the ground.
He fixed a place where it doesn't affect nature or any other things to burn the dump. Burning up all the dumps he gathered from the cave, he dragged his battered body back to the cave.
Alex's jaw dropped at the sight of Krystal's newly shredded scales. He opened and closed his mouth like a fish but nothing came out.
With a sigh… he silently gathered the scales and began to beat them up into a flat rock. Feeling disturbed by the noise made by him, Krystal snorted at him which pushed Alex away.
Alex got up dusting his pants before giving her a sheepish smile.
"Your breath stinks. Let's have that cleaned up." He said ignoring her flaring eyes at him.
Even if she killed him, she can bring him back.
Alex gathered dried leaves, the kind birds use to lay eggs in their nests.
Then he went out to the valley, to collect the jelly fresh breath fruit used by everyone in the village. Now seeing it, the fresh breath fruit color varied from the one they use. Sniffing it, he realized it was the same one but its color and strength varied due to the dragon poop.
When he returned, he noticed Krystal falling asleep peacefully.
Temper rose within him, he almost broke his back while catering to her! But she… she was just trying to sleep!
Forget it… he was no match for her. With a sigh, he walked towards her.
"Do you do nothing else than sleep?" He asked.
Krystal's eyes opened instantly, only to find the noisy human standing at the entrance, arms akimbo. She turned another side with a growl to continue her beauty sleep.
"Come on. Let's get you cleaned up. The king should be here any minute to see you awake." Alex said.
He tried pulling her in his direction but she didn't even move an inch. The disparity between their strengths was something he couldn't digest yet.
Taking a deep breath, he pulled one more time only to break her…. Horn!
Alex: "..."
'Am I really that strong?' he asked himself looking dumbfoundedly at the broken horn in his hand.
Krystal angry roar, ragged breath, and crazed look made him cower back in fear. She opened her mouth to make him bathe in her personalized fire. Alex knew he has to do something before he turned into a skewered chicken!
"I'm sorry, It's a mistake. If you had responded, this wouldn't happen. Also, I don't think I have the strength to pull off your horn." he said hopping here and there sheepishly.
Krystal lowered her head to show the place he plucked off her horn. Stretching his arm, he placed the horn properly. In seconds the horn healed to its previous form. He secretly let out a relieved sigh.
He threw an angry glare at her for making him go through the 'emotional predicament' he went through. Which Krystal ignored royally making him helpless.
"Now, let's clean your teeth." He muttered sulking.
Krystal laid down on her tummy and opened her mouth wide. Alex noticed he could fit in her mouth.
"I'm not so sure If I want to step in there."
He went in as he didn't have a choice and did what he was supposed to. Using the twisted dried leaves and the jelly fruit, he cleaned her teeth.
"Alexander!" A loud voice called from outside.
"Are you still alive?"
Alex frowned. He knew the owner of the voice was Marjun.
What did he come for?
"Alexander, if you're alive, come out!" Marjun's voice resounded again.
Alex saw that Marjun was close to the cave entrance. Krystal huffed at him when Marjun peeked inside like a sneaky rat making him scream and fell onto the ground.
Laughing at Marjun's expense, Alex followed behind Krystal. Krystal sniffed Marjun once before heading back.
"That was not funny, Alex. How could you allow her to do that? What if she ate me?!"
"Relax!" Alex chuckled.
"Krystal is sane. She might look like a monster, but she is sane."
"If you are alive, why did you not show up?" Marjun demanded furiously.
"The king got mad thinking my father and I have tricked him," Alex smirked.
"Tricked him? What has this got to do with you and your father? Am I your brother? Do we bear the same surname? Then why would King bother with you over me?" Alex barraged.
Marjun: "..."
Marjun stuttered. What can he say? He never knew that Alex could be smart.
Scratching his head, he laughed dryly. "Alex, oh Alex. You are so funny!"
"I am, aren't I?" Alex said with the same dryness.
He stared at Krystal, turning his back on Marjun. Even he felt the strange vibe that Marjun gave off. He wondered how this highly intelligent creature like Krystal would react.
"What did you come for, Marjun?" Alex asked, packing the beaten scales into a leather pouch. Marjun's eyes followed his every move.
"It's merely dust from beaten twigs. Don't stare so much." Marjun chuckled.
"Er, I am here to check if you were still alive..." Marjun trailed.
"Or dead?" Alex completed. "Marjun, you can return to the village and announce that I am alive."
Offering him a smile, he tapped on Alex's shoulder twice. Alex silently brushed his hand off. Without saying another word, Marjun left.
Alex walked into the inner cave with the leather pouch to hang on the wall. He was going to gather a pile before burning them.
He walked over to Krystal. "Hey, dragon!"
Krystal growled lightly. She hated to be disturbed!
"You know, the main reason for me being here is to keep you awake and ensure that you will protect the village," Alex stated. "Which can't be done while you are asleep,"
Krystal stared at him, which said she wasn't buying it. Alex chuckled when he understood her look.
"Come on, Dragon," Alex whined. "You see this man who came here? He would tell the entire world that you are awake and I am alive! That means work for you."
Krystal's expression turned sour. She hated having to work other than inspect pieces of jewelry, eat, and sleep.
"I will have the king gift you a big shiny diamond. But that is only if you make a calm public appearance."
Krystal turned her face away.
Did he think he could bribe her so easily?
Will she give in to him?