Bibi took a tentative step forward, her eyes never leaving Revy. "I wonder if you could give us some food?" he said shyly. his voice as quiet as the rustling of leaves in the night. "We have been out of supplies for ten days and are trying to survive without food" The dragon darted around him as if impatiently waiting to be introduced.
Revy's gaze softened as she examined the boy. His instincts told him the boy wasn't a threat. He sheathed his sword and extended his hand, palm up. "I am Revy Gray," she said, her voice soft despite the cruelty that hung in the air like a ghost. "And this is my friend Dori."
Dori took a step forward, his fear momentarily forgotten. The child was as thin as a reed and his clothes were ragged, but his eyes... They held a wisdom beyond his years. The dragon, however, remained a whirl of excitement, fluttering around Dori as if trying to dance with him. Despite its fiery exterior, it was clear that this creature was as innocent as a newborn fawn.
"Bibi," the boy whispered, his eyes never leaving Revy's. "This is my companion, Flam." The dragon chirped happily at the mention of his name, and Dori couldn't help but laugh, the sound breaking the tension like a rock through glass.
Bibi approached cautiously, his eyes wide with wonder. His clothes were torn and dirty, but his gaze was sharp, as if he had seen more than anyone his age should have. The dragon, Flam, hovered around him protectively, its eyes darting between the two strangers with a fiery curiosity.
The silence of the forest was shattered by the sound of Dori's laughter. He had never seen anything like it—a dragon so small it could fit in the palm of his hand. "He's adorable!" Dori exclaimed, reaching out tentatively to touch the creature. To his amazement, Flam allowed it, his scales warming under Dori's touch.
Bibi's expression became less cautious as the dragon's excitement seemed to reassure her. "Thank you," he murmured, his eyes shifting up to meet Revy's. "We didn't want to disturb you, but we are very hungry."
Dori watched in amazement as Flam curled up in his lap, purring like a kitten. He couldn't believe it. A dragon, right here, with them! He stroked its scales gently, feeling the warmth that emanated from its tiny body. The creature's eyes closed in contentment, and Dori felt a strange kinship with this child and his mystical companion.
"We've been hiding here for a month," Bibi said, her voice faint in the vastness of the forest. "We had to escape from the Gold Cage merchants. They're… so evil" His eyes shifted away, the firelight playing on his haunted expression.
Revy was unfamiliar with everything outside the village. "Golden Cage?" Dori repeated, pausing mid-stroke with her hand on the cards. "There are people who sell people and rare creatures, I've heard of that name."
Bibi swallowed hard, her eyes looking down as she ate the bread Revy gave her. "They capture children, women, and magical creatures with special abilities. They train them and then sell them to the highest bidder." His voice softened, as if speaking too loud would summon the demons he feared.
Revy's eyes narrowed and she nodded solemnly. "Don't you have a family?" he said, a tone in his voice reflecting the pain of shared experience.
Bibi nodded, her eyes shining with unshed tears. "My family was a family that served the southern ancient kingdom. After the ancient kingdom collapsed, they massacred my family," he whispered.
Dori's heart sank at this statement. The dragon who stole her heart looked at Flam and couldn't imagine anyone could harm such an innocent creature. "We're hiding because if we get caught by them, they'll do bad things to us," the boy said, his voice trembling with fear and fatigue. "Me and Flam can't fight them"
Revy's eyes were shining with compassion. He mixed the ingredients and handed the boy a loaf of bread and a bag. "You can eat," he said gently, his voice softer than the rustling of the leaves. "You're safe with us."