I walked through the forest still, the trench was annoying and I was extremely tempted to just fly. Unfortunately, I grew attached to the fox just by walking with it, it was a silver fox. Maybe the fact it was darker colors similar to mine was the reason, I noticed its eyes were silver. Never mind it was a kitsune, just currently in fox form or stuck. My best guess is that they want companionship and are testing me to see if I would be a good match. It wasn't uncommon for a kitsune to seek companionship not only in its own species but in dragons as well. We finally came upon the lake I stood at the treeline not exactly wanting to step out. I noticed Kyler was sitting on a rock reading a book, one of the things I was interested in hoarding in the future once I got large enough. The kitsune seemed to follow my eyesight and notice Kyler as well. I let out a sigh before stopping on the rocky beach, I preferred them because they didn't show footprints.

I supposed I could relax for a bit. It was my birthday, I realized with a start, and it wasn't like I had anything better to do.

I heard her yell out asking if I was the same person as yesterday

"axun," I called back, then the fox finally spoke up and it made me jump (Yes)

"wux vucot jaciv throdenilti likely shilta ti kampiun wux, zlonzic?" It said, clearly a male voice.

(You know she most likely can not understand you, correct?)

"axun, yth tepohada vi xanalre daguam johj, si filki hefoc thesekir lyriki qe confused," I said and kept walking towards her and the kitsune just followed with a chuckle

(Yes, we had a language barrier yesterday, i just like watching others be confused)

I gestured to the lake, which was quite stunning with the sun reflecting off the scales of the multicolored fish swimming under the surface. "Pretty, isn't it? Sorry, I dont usually talk this much, I don't know what's wrong with me today."

Waving my hands in apology, I turned and sat down, pulling an apple out of my satchel. "Hungry?" I said, offering it to the girl.

"Void," was all I was able to say. I tried my best to be nice to her about her clumsiness. When she offered the apple I shook my head and point to my teeth, they were all sharp and clearly the teeth of a top predator. I stepped a little bit into the water and did the same process I did to catch fish yesterday. I caught two fish this time and blew fire on both then set one down on a rock in front of the kitsune. He chirped and I could only imagine him saying thankyou so I just nodded as I ate my fish and examined her face for a reaction. I hoped it would finally click for her what I was.

My hands were itching to write this all down, but I didn't have any parchment with me, and I thought it might be rude anyway. An idea of who she was- or what she was- started to form in my mind. I scratched my hand.

"Are you a dragon?" I asked softly. I never knew they existed, but all the clues lined up.

"Where do you come from?" I asked. "Why are you here? No wait, those are personal questions, you don't have to answer them," I added, momentarily forgetting that she couldn't . I sat down and drew a line in the sand.

I nodded when she asked if I was a dragon, some words I was able to say some because they meant the same thing. "Traveler," I said before grabbing a stick and drawing a picture of a dragon flying and then a picture of a house. I drew an arrow of the dragon going to the house and then question marks around the dragon. I hope she understood it meant I was looking for a home. I continued to eat my fish as I sat down on a rock and the kitsune appeared next to me.

"svabol ui dout ominak?" I asked the fox (What is your name?)

"sia ominak ui dawaco, vucoti dout ominak li wux filki yentada coi zyak tir ti xihood zahae batobot," The kitsune responded and I nodded.

(my name is Dawaco, I know your name since you just said it so do not worry about that)

"Wow," was all I could manage. I looked at the sand and studied the pictures she had drawn. "You don't know where home is?" I guessed. "And you can talk to the fox, that's so amazing - I cant believe Ive never read about any of this before. But you're the only dragon I've ever met- are there more of you?"

At some point I had forgotten that this was a stranger and that I usually got very uncomfortable around strangers. But I was curious- and I guess my curiousity overrided my wariness.

I was probably asking too many questions. I hoped I wasnt being annoying; that was never good. I had about eighty more questions but I bit my tongue.

"You can change into a dragon at will, right?" I asked before I could stop myself. "Alright, sorry, that is my last question, I promise."

I got annoyed and drew another picture of a house then pointed at myself, then at the house and put a large X on it. I sighed getting annoyed from all the questions and felt my ears pin against my head. I just did one singular nod at the end, the kitsune seemed annoyed too because he had his ears pinned back.

"jaciv ui ukrisir idol kiri kiarf for sia varmunch" The fox said (she is talking way too much for my taste)

"si iaco mrith wux," I said with a sigh (I agree with you) I wanted to leave now.

I frowned. "I mean, not lonely, I- Maybe I'll go now." I bowed in apology again. "I'm really sorry for bothering you. Have a nice day, Void."

With that I turned and walked back towards home, sighing at the prospect of the dismal cave waiting for me. I'd never be smart enough to understand others. They all left in the end anyway. Even Iri.

I didnt think I would ever find him.