"That's okay!", Carja reassured, "Try again. Or if you can't, you could ask for help! I'm happy to assist."

She smiled up at Arquia and flicked her tail happily, watching a rabbit skitter across the game trail she'd been following, humming softly. She was still a bit hungry, but that was okay, she'd live until Arquia was safe.

"You can do it," Carja said softly, crossing one paw over the other as she waited for the dragon to cave and ask for help, or to do it herself.

Somehow she knew that one or the other would determine the young dragon's way of going about things. Both were good in their own ways, but she herself much preferred a balance. Asking for help when you needed it, but doing things yourself when you could. Independence was as important as trust.

Carja perked up and cooed happily, opening her mouth and flicking her tongue out to grab the peach, letting the taste spread across her tongue before she swallowed it.

"Thank you!", she said, tail wagging happily, "Oh that was so kind of you! I haven't had fruit other than melons in a while!"

She yawned and purred away happily, eyes scrunching up, "Are you still hungry, or are you done?"

Arquia might be tiny, but Lass managed to chomp down more than Carja had when they were smaller, so she wouldn't underestimate this child's appetite. So she stood up and walked forward slowly, idly searching for any melons or things that she herself could eat and feel full on too.

Carja's head went up again and she hummed, craning her head and very delicately picking the red fruits, popping them in her mouth and humming in delight, "Oh these are good too- so good!!"

She nearly hit her braincase on the branch above, wheezing as she ducked her head down, her enthusiasm getting the best of her, "Sorry!! I love fruit- I'm so glad there are this many or I'd never get full!"

She ate until her stomach was fat, and she toddled off to find a place to nap, purring up a storm.

"Y'know what dragons do after they eat a bunch?", she said, finding a nice rock in the sun, "They nap! We can rest and our bodies recharge while we're asleep, so you wake up feeling rested!"

Carja laid down and curled up, setting her head on the ground and sighing happily, "I love food..."

Carja hummed, "Well... Cetus, it's a swampy room, or Monoceros, where my family is. It has a giant tornado in it!"

She clapped her hands together excitedly before pausing, "Wait, you're leaving? Already?"

She craned her head and frowned, "Could you stay? At least for a little bit? I don't want you getting eaten out there. Not that you would... but..."

She tapped her claws together and looked away, sagging a bit. She always liked kids, and it was sad that this one seemed so eager to leave. Maybe she was too enthusiastic.

Carja stared in the direction that Arquia left, sagging gently.

"... Bye," she mumbled, setting her head down and curling up.

She stopped purred, saddened and worried for the little creature, barely an hour old and already off on her own. though she had been too. Off on her own, fending for herself... but everyone ought to have a family, right?

Her eyes closed and she curled up tighter, sighing. She thought so, at least.