From Mountains to City [Ask to Enter]

It was going to be a hard transition.

A few years ago she had found out that she could turn into a human. At first, she could care less. Human were weak and pathetic and always trying to kill her. What use was she going to have for that form? Either way, she still took some of her off time to try it, figuring out her limitations and being able to change at will and stay changed. Maybe there was still a reason she should learn to tame her power, to escape out of someone's grasp or just to blend in, learn more about the human. Nah, that'd never happen.

Until it did. She was curious about human life, and just needed a reason to get away from her mountain and normal life. She wanted something exciting, something new, and something that could be dangerous. In human form she couldn't fly or breath fire or pretty much anything. Aero already knew she wouldn't be allowed to just fly over there willy nilly, she'd probably get shot down. And without any real money she just had to bring some of her collected gold and hope that they'd take it.

The good thing about it was that she didn't have any other carry on's but the gold. She also didn't have to worry about her deer stash, as she stopped hunting once she planned on leaving for a while. Her cave was desolate, her gold either buried or with her as she traveled. Aero didn't know what she planned to do once she got there, maybe just learn more about the humans or realize it was a stupid idea and just go back home, where she actually belonged. She knew nothing of human culture, only that they wanted to kill her. The only reason she could speak some of their language was from the people who came to kill her, and over time she had recognized some words and how the fit together. She had a pretty acceptable vocabulary, but it was still slacking.

The only way for Aero to get to the main human settlements was to fly, so she carefully made her way to an unpopulated area before making her way to a city. she didn't know what city she came upon, but anyone else would know. Xastristan, one of the biggest and busiest cities in the world. There was already noticeable differences from her quaint little island, but that was expected. There were no trees or plants anywhere, save for a few balconies with plants growing on them and the occasional patch of grass or flower outside of a building. It was noisier and had more movement with cars and all of the people. That's the last one too, all the people. Aero had expected a few more people, but nothing like this. She never knew that there was this many.

After almost getting ran over by some cars she decided to blend into one of the crowds, seeing as they walked across the street only when the white person appeared, not the hand. They also seemed to chat with one another, and use these things that they talked into or tapped on. These were nothing like the ones that came to grab her bounty or in the little cities she decided to burn down. Speaking of bounty, no one had tried to capture her yet, so that was a good sign. But again, she even barely knew that she could turn human, so how would anyone else know what she looked like as a human?

Eventually, the group went into a little building that she didn't feel like going in, the smell was to bitter even with the sweet scents that also came from there. She continued walking, almost thinking that the green trees she saw up ahead weren't real. That was, until she passed by them. There were people playing in the grass that was there, and the artificial things that were in there too. Hesitantly, she crossed the street and walked to one of the trees. Aero reached out to touch one of the trees, feeling the rough bark. The real rough bark. This wasn't fake, it was real. Even with all of the people here, she actually felt at home. But now she didn't know if she should enter the park more, or just stay on the outskirts with this tree. While debating, the dragoness kept her hand on the tree, staring out as if in a daze. What would she even say to one of these people?

Xylnthian yawned, one golden eye glancing over at the clock on his nightstand. It was the ass-crack of dawn. What the hell, why was he even up right now? He shook his head blearily, sitting up as the sheets pooled around his legs. He stretched, feeling and hearing the satisfying crack of his bones as he rolled out the aches. Xylnthian grinned happily to himself; spending a whole day with Haru had definitely been fun. Too bad the foxcharm couldn't stay, who knows what he and Xylnthian would have been up to if he had? But something about family came up, and Haru had had to leave early. Well, at least Xylnthian didn't have work today. He hopped out of bed, throwing on a pair of low-hanging sweatpants (because he slept in the nude, sue him), and took at least 15 minutes to make sure his vibrant hair was perfectly tousled, because Xylnthian made it a habit to always look on point, no matter what he was doing or where he was going. Slicked back for important business meetings, messy bedhead for lazy days, it was practically all planned out.

As Xylnthian rubbed the sleep out of his eyes, he groggily poured himself a cup of coffee (the drink of the gods, he told himself) and peeked inside the fridge. Huh. Out of milk. And out of meat. And.. out of fruit. Okay, he wasn't doing anything anyways, so he could always make a quick pit stop at the grocery store. Right! Xylnthian grinned to himself, snatching his keys off the counter as he cheerfully made his way out the door and down to the bottom of the complex.

~yay timeskip because I am NOT writing about Xyl shopping and whatever~

Xylnthian glanced down at his phone. Only a few hours had passed. Guess he had the rest of the day to spare until about lunch time. Now, where could go? The sounds of small children laughing and playing alerted him from across the street, and he practically glowed. Of course! The park! Maybe he could be the social butterfly that he was and just flit from person to person, making light conversation. That was decided then. Xylnthian set off at a confident gait, making his way into the large landscape. As he looked around for anyone that he could say hello to, he noticed a young woman standing next to a tree, looking lost into the distance. Blank gaze, slightly open jaw, hand absentmindedly petting the tree (not really, but whatever). His first prey of the day, then.

He popped right up in front of her gaze, waving a hand before her eyes rapidly. "Hey. Something up? You're looking like a zombie."

Aero hadn't even noticed the person approaching before he popped in front of her, startling the dragoness enough to take a step back from the 'protection' of her tree. God, how could she have let herself be startled like that? She was lucky he hadn't just killed her or tried to capture her. But she wasn't a dragon right now, she was a human. There was no way he could know what she really was.

But then, how do you talk to one? Aero hadn't said anything to the person, just looked at him, almost confused. Panic started to rise in her. Why did she think this was ever going to be a good idea? She wanted to turn back, run away from this terrible mistake but, there was no turning back. At least not while facing another human. The suspicion from her strange behavior, if it wasn't enough already, could lead them to think there was something wrong with her. What would she do then?

Calming herself she finally centered herself on not freaking out, and instead, trying to intimidate the other with an angry glare; something modified from her usual smile down on her human victims. It sometimes caused them to run away in fear, but then again that was as a dragon. Aero just wished he'd go away- the sooner he left the sooner she could leave as well.

Xylnthian stared at the shorter woman as the woman glanced up in panic. He was confused; was she so antisocial that she freaked out over anyone who tried to talk to her or something? All Xylnthian was trying to do was see why she was zoning out and petting a tree like so. Damn, was she a treehugger? Not that Xylnthian had any problems with treehuggers, it was just that, it looked like she was literally going to hug (and maybe do other things) the tree. The salamander raised an eyebrow in curiosity. The woman seemed so panic, like he was going to straight up attack her without a second thought. Maybe it had something to do with her past, Xylnthian wouldn't know, but it was still a rather severe reaction to a simple "hey".

And so the woman continued to stare at him for a few long seconds as Xylnthian stared right back, lips almost quirking up into an amused smile, because damn she looked like a lost puppy. If Xylnthian hadn't already had a boyfriend (Haru was just the most adorable, he sighed happily), he probably would have tried to flirt with this young woman. But no, he had a boyfriend now! He couldn't go around hitting up random strangers in the park.

Now she was glaring at him. What the hell did Xyl even do wrong? He stuck his tongue out childishly for good measure, but at least the glare wasn't too fazing. He was too used to it, constantly getting those death eyes from his older brother and twin sister. "Well, damn. Aren't you welcoming? Are you new? I haven't seen you around before."



~lol good enough~

She was confused when he stuck his tongue out, but by now she had a feeling it wasn't working. The male confirmed it when he spoke to her again. Seemed like the only way she was going to get out of this one was to try and talk with him. The dragoness nodded slowly, watching him for any moves of aggression. Even though he seemed relaxed and not looking for a fight, she saw everyone here as a predator. Of course, she was the real predator here. If only these people had a clue. Aero could see them all running in fear, and her being powerful, not this backwards reality she was in right now. Her nose twitched involuntarily in thought. As much as she hated this, maybe she should give him a chance. But that was a lot easier said than done, as she had no clue what to say to him. If only she had known to study before this. The humans just seemed so dumb to her. She didn't expect to see these giant structures and so many people. She would never have imagined this.

Xylnthian frowned when he gained no verbal response except a slow nod. "Wow, not a talker, eh?" The woman still seemed lost in thought. What the hell was she thinking about all this time? He snapped his fingers in front of her face in an attempt to get her to focus her gaze on him. "Hey, hey. You're zoning out on me again." Did she do this with everyone or something? Was something bothering her? Maybe she was uncomfortable around so many people, despite the fact that the park wasn't actually... that full.

He crossed his arms, leaning against the tree. "So, welcome to the area. Where're you from? I'm Xylnthian, nice to meetcha." He extended a hand cheerfully, waiting for her to shake it.

The male snapped his fingers, startling her again. God, she was going to have a heart attack in this place. She narrowed her eyes at him. He really needed to stop startling a wild animal. Why was he so curious of her anyways? There were many more people that he could be annoying. Aero blinked when he asked where she was from. Before she could linger on it too long though, he extended his arm. Before she had time to reason that it wasn't a threat, she jumped back, looking like she was in some sort of weird defensive position and letting off an inhuman growl. After staring at his hand for a moment she relaxed slightly, looking from his face to his hand. Maybe she needed to stop thinking that every human wanted to kill her.

"Xy... ln... thain?" She tried. He had asked where she was from. She didn't really know where she was from. She was from her home, which was on the side of a mountain. Her home was nothing like this place. The dragoness shook her head, still ignoring his hand. Why did he even put it out? Was she supposed to do something with it? She was supposed to do something with it, wasn't she? Oh gods, how was she ever going to make it in this world.

Xylnthian had to stifle both a snort and a groan of frustration when the girl, instead of taking his hand like a civilized person, leaped back and bristled like a wild animal. He tilted his head slightly to ponder her defensive position and the low growl that was rumbling in her throat. Wow, it was like she didn't even know how to, well, interact with people in society. Like she was raised in the woods. Granted, Xylnthian was also born in the wild jungles of Eiria at the base of a volcano, but he had manners! Most of the time!

He retracted his hand and shook his head. "Okay, never mind that. It's Xyl - thee - an. Damn, it's like you're from Eiria. But then again I'm from Eiria.."

"So what's your name?"

'Okay, no aggression yet. Maybe he's too simple minded to put things together...' Aero thought, trying to keep herself maintained. He didn't seem to assume she was a dragon, at least not yet. How hard would that be to tell? What if he was a dragon and she just didn't know it? No, that was ridiculous. If she hadn't seen another dragon her whole life, why would the first person she meet in this new world be a dragon? She needed to stop thinking about this before the other male startled her again.

The male- Xylnthian had finally asked her a question that she knew she could answer. The dragon squared her shoulders before answering almost proudly, "Aero Dynamic." How she acquired that name even she wasn't sure, but it was what she went by. She liked the sound of it. The dragoness didn't know if that name would sound strange in this place, but she hadn't thought about it too much. A name was a name, right?

Xylnthian retracted his hand slowly.

Alright then. Kind of rude, but okay.

Aero Dynamic. That was.. a strange name. Then again, it wasn't like every single creature on Eslon had some sort of "human" sounding name right? Xylnthian's own name had never really been heard of either.

Honestly, what was with this girl? Her growling, her defensive stance, her confused expression when she stared at his outstretched hand, it really was like she wasn't intimate at all with civilized society. Maybe if he could find out more...

"So, you never answered my question. Where're you from?"

'Where were you from?' The question rung around her head as she tried to think of how to answer that. She wasn't from here, this weird place with all these humans, but she never had thought of what to call her home.

"I'm from... where I was hatched," She said, figuring that was just her best reply for now.