kitchen_maid | (no subject)

Even with the chief conspirator rather definitely dealt with, there is rather a lot that has to be addressed in the wake of an attempted royal coup. The others involved must be located and taken care off, a nervous populace must be reassured.

Arrangements must be made for the room and board for Norman the Royal Dragon of Ambergeldar.

The heroes of the day must be properly thanked and acknowledged. (Which means finding a new Protocol Officer who can throw together an appropriate ceremony and celebration, immediately.)

In the meantime, however, those heroes have earned a bit of a rest. Amy made sure, personally, that everyone had a room, fresh clothes and anything else they want.

She also has the Royal Family's Sitting Room set up for their use. The room is full of comfortable chairs, and has a lived-in feel, with Perry's books and Amy's handwork and several of Merry and Susan's toys scattered about.

There is also, on a long, low table, rather a lot of food -- bread, meat, cheese, a couple of pies and a tray of other pastries, fruit from the palace greenhouse, pots of tea, pitchers of apple cider and milk and wine.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

"Oh."

Beat.

"That makes sense."

She falls silent again, just for a second.

"You have been flying? At home."

"Oh, yes, all the time. On a broomstick. It's rather different than riding a dragon, though."

"The physics are not the same," X agrees.

"You do not fall off? The broom."

"No. I've never, anyway. I've seen a few people fall off, but there are charms for that kind of thing. I take Ingress and Door up whenever we go for picnics."

"Oh."

And a moment later --

"I liked flying. With the dragon."

"It was definitely an experience," he laughs. "Dragons in my world are rather wilder and more fierce than the one we met."

"Oh."

Beat.

"You do not fight them?"

"No. Occasionally there are attacks in the wild, and at one time we were worried they might be used in more organized attacks during a war, but for the most part, wizardkind tries to keep them safe and out of Muggles' sight. There are many dragon refuges all over the Wizarding world."

X frowns. Slightly.

"They are in cages?"

"I don't think they build cages that big. No, they're on their own lands, which are bigger on the inside than they look from without. There are wards to keep them hidden, and, well, there are magical fences. I'd rather they be fenced in than out getting destroyed by terrified Muggle armies or some such."

She considers this for a moment or two.

"You are sure they would be destroyed?"

"Muggles nowadays have weapons not even a dragon could survive."

There was a story he remembers from school about a dragon escaping a refuge near Petersburg during the siege. It did not end well. Tom always felt for the loss of the dragon, if not for the millions who died along with it that long winter.

"Oh."

Beat.

"Magic does not help?"

"Only if there are wizards on hand to make sure it's in place. Dragons don't have that kind of magic."

X tilts her head slightly.

"They have other kinds?"

"I- don't know. If they do, it's not the kind we understand. They don't exactly tell us, what with the language barrier and all."

He thinks of Anthy, for a moment, and basilisks. Anthy and Laura would have got on rather well. Strangely, but well.

X thinks about that, too.

"Your world does not have telepaths."

Or they are not cross-species telepaths. Hmm.

"Well. Sort of."

He doesn't allow himself to shift from one foot to the other. It's not like he uses Legilimency. Much.

"But none that could sift through a dragon's thoughts."

"Oh."

Beat.

"I do not know if Miss Frost could do that."

Jean probably could. But she and X never really met.

"I'd like to know if she could."

X just shrugs, one-shouldered and quick.

The chances of Emma Frost opening up about the extent of her powers is -- slim.

Especially to X.

"In any case, all's well that ends well. I'm glad I got to know you somewhat better. Ingress is terribly fond of you."

X's eyes go a little wide at that.

"She is good."

Beat.

"To teach."

This is X's way of saying she likes Ingress, too.

"I'm glad. She certainly seems motivated. She's doing well?"

"Yes."

X's response is prompt and sure.

"It will be easier when she is not as small. Muscle mass is important."

Beat.

"But she is quick."

(no subject)

young_tmriddle - 2009-04-10 03:47 (UTC) - Expand