Associate of a former Team Apocalypse member (Assistance) Undead (Jiang-shi) Featured plant: Taxus_sumatrana (Taiwan yew)

“Reisub, I’m home!” Ouroboros enters their shed with a basket of mineral for potion brewing.

Reisub already senses her return and waits at the door. “Welcome back, I cook- oof.” His words are cut off by Ouroboros buries her nozzle in his stomach.

“Phew, your plush body sure calms me down.” Ouroboros wraps her countless legs around Reisub and relaxes on top of him.

“Those Stingers sure are terrible,” Reisub says without audible words. The Loop Ouroboros build links them together. Reisub can sense Ouroboros’ status even if she is far away. “How about you lose your grip a little? I’m being flattened!”

During the meal, Reisub can tell the unease in Ouroboros. It is something that shows up occasionally when they she goes for a long trip.

“I shall give you some combat training,” Ouroboros says out of the blue.
The piece of roasted meat drops out of Reisub’s mouth. “But why? Do you need me for hunting?”

Since the start of his existence, Reisub has been Ouroboros’ house helper. Clean the shed, cook the meals, tend the herbs and animals, and sometimes prepare the materials. He isn’t so busy that he has no spare time for more work, but who is going to do his work if he joins the long trips?

“No, I need you here. I’m just worrying for your safety while I’m out.” Ouroboros swirls her tail in the air, the latest chew marks are barely healed. “So many things can get here!”

“Like wild animals or bandits? I don’t think this shed is that interesting for them.” There is one time where a lynx eyeing their chickens, but a broom is all Reisub needs to drive them away.

“I’m thinking about my coworkers in another time. Though, lynxes, huh? I can use some of their pelts… Anyway, your training starts after the long rest.”

---

Ouroboros takes on another trip when Reisub’s fencing skill reaches satisfactory. He is required to have an oversized pin strapped on his waist when working outdoors. As for the weapon of choice, it’s something about “sticking to the aesthetic” by Ouroboros’ words.

“Excuse me,” a blue Serthis asks from outside of the fence. She continues once she gets Reisub’s attention. “Our Serthis clan is looking for internship opportunities with dragon clans, especially with ancient dragons like Auraboas or Veilspuns. Do you know any of them?”

“I don’t know any Veilspun.” Reisub never meets any Veilspun. He only knows about them due to Ouroboros’ teaching. Apparently they have a period of absence? “As for Auraboas…”

Don’t.

“… Aren’t they living in Behemoth? You shall ask there.” Reisub redirects the Serthis’ attention as ordered.

The Serthis narrowed her eyes. “You sure know a lot about a breed whose existence still isn’t common knowledge yet.”

Reisub reaches for the pin. Ouroboros is right; he needs to learn how to fight.

Sound of wing beats passes by their head. A swarm of Auraboas, in their looping formation, flies by the shed. They spends an extra loop around the shed, just to make sure everyone is safe.

“Nevermind.” The Serthis backs off and goes to her own path. “Go find an Auraboa in Viridian Labyrinth, what did Wormwood expect…” she mutters as she leaves.

Good job fighting her off, Ouroboros says.

“But I don’t do anything.” The pin is still strapped to him.

Fighting doesn’t always go physical. You learn more of it someday. Anyway, your next job is to prepare a thank you gift for our good neighbors.
Art

by BrassicaOracle (me)