Buruk

[plans: gembond]

Buruk stumbled across the mismatched set of dragons - Earthborn mirror and tundra, plus a Lightning hatchling - at a watering hole. In the Shattered Plains, such places were treasured social hubs, inasmuch as such a barren environment could promise a 'social hub.' Out of pity for the hatchling, ostensibly, he invited them along his clan's traditional path. The two adults may have stumbled across one source of water by chance, but they would never make it to the next well without help, after all.

Failing to throw her off instantly meant that Buruk acquired a lazy mirror perched on top of him for a ride, her longer tail dragging through the dust. His lack of protest was noted for future reference.

****

"What," Buruk asked carefully, "is it supposed to be?"

"It's for you," Skayt insisted earnestly, still proffering the mangled bird carcass. She had regurgitated it right in front of him - a sight Buruk could have easily done without. "Do you... not like it...?" She looked heartbroken, ear-crests drooping.

Buruk was certain that something was going on with this, though he had no idea what. "It's very nice," he said diplomatically, "but I'm not sure what to do with it."

The mirror giggled, which was almost as disconcerting as the regurgitation had been. "You EAT it, of course! - oh. Oh no. Oh, NO. You don't like meat, I forgot! I'll find something better! You like fish, right? Yes - right! I'll bring you fish!" She dashed off, tail whipping behind her.

Buruk, meanwhile, was left with the 'present.' Maybe he could make a leg-band out of it; it seemed too important to Skayt for him to simply add to the food stash. Yes, that seemed like a good idea.

It was only later that he asked the - pack leader, he supposed - what the gesture was supposed to mean. Yui told him.