Xervas glanced up for a brief instant at Dragon when he pinned the rat's tail. That was incredibly helpful,
really. He would thank him later for that. And the burning. That was also helpful.

He let go for a split instant, to get a better grip on the rat. The large rodent was conflicted; attack the big thing pinning it, or the other at it's neck? It was that second of consideration that killed it. Xervas managed to get a good grip on the neck, close to it's head. He scratched at it's side using one of his feet, since he couldn't jump onto it's back. It was the best Xervas could do at the moment.

Not long after, the rat lay dead. Xervas released his grip on it's neck, watching it slump to the floor. The adrenaline was slowly wearing off. He could feel a stinging at his neck where he had lost some feathers- something he hadn't noticed before.

"Thank you for helping," He spoke, directing it to Dragon. "I understand now why rats are dangerous,"
he added. He thought it had gone well though, despite the help from Dragon. Hey, it could have been worse.

@Dragon

"You did well!" Dragon boomed, retracting his clawed foreleg from the rat. He slipped backward a few slow and heavy steps before settling more deeply into the swamp. "Ensure it is well and truly dead, and then tear into it. It is your meal!" Instinct might have already told Xervas this--but it didn't hurt to mention it anyway.

He watched the lammergeier thoughtfully, for a moment. Xervas had already expressed a desire to be on his own; Dragon was unsure if it had been fear, politeness or a genuine wish, but he hadn't forgotten it, at least. "Survive," he said, abruptly deciding to instruct the hatchling just this little bit more. "There are many secrets these caves hold--many hidden from us by other beings--and the only way to uncover them, is to survive long enough to do so. Eat! Hunt! And do not be slain. And when you can, seek the secrets. It is here that I live--I hunt, and I bring offerings to my father in the black water, who protects, and guides. If you need aid you may find me."

He then focused, deeply, really trying to call upon his magick this time. It was important, after all. It still took a moment, but this time, when he tilted his head back and opened his jaws, a long--if thin--plume of flame issued forth, guttering quietly in the mist-heavy air. "This is my magic! If you see the fire, it may perhaps be me. If you need me, call for me, and if I can hear you I will aid!"

He tossed a bit of watery muck in his mouth to cool his jaws, then spoke further. "Do you wish to be alone, little one, or do you have questions? Or is there something else with which I can aid?" He had nowhere to be, after all--and the more of them that survived, the better their chances to survive together.

@Xervas

Xervas, upon hearing Dragon's words of praise, fluffed his feathers up a bit, feeling proud. They soon returned to their regular positions. As for the rat, the lammergeier did make sure it was dead. By tearing at it's throat, that is. He quickly gulped down some of the meat he had torn off.

He tilted his head as he listened to Dragon. Was his father like him in appearance? Interesting, for sure. He wondered if he would ever meet him someday. He tore off another piece of meat, eating it.

He watched the flames that appeared from within Dragon's throat, then out of his mouth; he found it fascinating. Fire magic seemed truly interesting. After the display, he noticed how the reptile scooped some muck from the ground, then... ate it? Maybe it was to cool himself down after the fire. It probably burned, after all.

"I think I will do okay," he said, slowly. "But if something happens, I will be sure to find you." He hopped closer to the Gembound, trusting them to not eat him. "I hope I see you again... later... someday? Someday." he said, trying to think of the right word. Not the same day, maybe, but definitely soon. The next day, maybe, or a few after that. Nothing too long; probably not even a full cycle would pass. He was still young, after all.

@Dragon

Dragon watched the youth ruffle himself up at his words; he watched him, too, eat. He gave him one last bit of advice, as he observed.

"A final word of advice, little one. When you have won your battle, do not let down your guard. The world is full of those who come to the sound of pain, and the smell of blood." With this practical warning solemnly given, he slowly turned his body, ridged tail slicking through the mud.

"If you need me, Xervas, you will find me at the offering pile by the edge of the black lake. I wish you luck!" he added in his booming, cheerful voice.

With that the alligator turned, hauling his heavy, half-limping body back through the mud. Often he stayed with hatchlings for days--or let them stay with him. But he could respect Xervas's desire to learn and grow on his own; some were this way. It was strength, of a sort, he supposed--or foolishness? Perhaps it did not trust him!

And that would be fair, too. Most of those who pretend to be our friends are not. The truth is still hidden from us, even by our so-called guardians.

Hopefully Xervas would survive, and grow; and perhaps, in time, he would bring news from the other corners of the cave. News a winged creature could easily find, and carry--and a heavy, limping alligator could not.

exit Dragon ; @Xervas

Xervas bowed his head. "I will try to stay.. alert," he said. He nearly said 'awake', though that hadn't been right.

"I will make sure to look," he added, referring to the offering pile. Offering pile at the edge of the black lake- sounded easy enough to find, though the mist may make that an issue. But it would be an adventure, nonetheless.

Whether Dragon knew it or not, the lammergeier considered him an ally, even a friend. He would like to meet with him again, even if it was just to have a plain conversation.

He watched him go before turning away to finish his meal.

exit Xervas; @Dragon