( key note: fitz always notices. but he knows better than to stick his nose where it doesn't belong where a dragon is concerned — at least, in theory he does.
in any case, fitz pauses, at the very least giving the illusion of thought. in truth he has his answer, but he imagines arctic will appreciate him putting weight on his answer with dramatic consideration. )
Do you recall, I spoke of the dragon keepers of my world to you? I've met them, now. Elderlings. They aren't ... well, they take care of their dragons, provide for them. Give them warm rocks to sun on and sand to bathe in, and polish their claws and their scales until they shine like glimmering gemstones. Essentially they work as groomers. All that to say — I'd be happy to be keeper for you. Not master, with you as my pet. I'm not so arrogant to think a dragon can be owned as one, nor any animal under the care of a man. If it is a role we must play, then so be it. A role it shall remain.
[He does appreciate it, immensely. Arctic pauses, taken aback a moment at how well his request has been read before he could even give it, before he finds his voice again.]
...I knew you would be the right person for the job. Glad to see my trust wasn't misplaced.
[Smooth as ice, he sounds about as impressed as he has ever allowed himself to be around this crew.]
However, the grooming won't be necessary. I only ask that we work together to maintain my cover. My hope is that I can use this role to gather information that others might not be able to... So long as the local population believes I am a mere animal.
[Congrats on getting the worlds shittiest house cat, Fitz. Arctic still has more concerns to air, though, continuing:]
Have you selected a mate already? Because I would also appreciate if you could impress upon them a similar attitude of respect.
( a dragon's trust. how extremely ... unexpected. tintaglia trusted him because she knew if he betrayed her, she'd poison and eat him. arctic trusts him just because he treats him well? it's a new feeling, definitely. but he's more touched by that trust than the average person — based on what arctic as said, it seems like conversing with humans at all is more than a bit beneath him.
in any case, he'll try not to be disappointed about the no grooming. at heart, fitz never left the stables of buckkeep where his bed was a pile of hay nestled against a hound dog, in a pile of her puppies like one of her own. he loves caring for animals — he imagines he'd love caring for dragons, too. )
Then work together we shall.
( he doesn't stutter at the word "mate" because, well. he calls his own daughter "cub." there are parts of fitz that remain irrevocably animal, even after all this time. )
I will make sure it is known. Have you met Alina Starkov? She is ( how to describe alina, um, in a nice way, hm ) oftentimes very difficult, but she's not the type to talk down to someone. ( well, ) Unless they deserve it. ( ah ) I will let her know. She will be respectful.
Well. ( this is the part where a more diplomatic person would encourage arctic, subtly, to befriend humans, and hope it makes a difference with the humans of his home world. unfortunately, fitz lacks the refined talent of a true royal — he's only been publicly known as prince fizchivalry, royal witted bastard, for weeks to months. trying to be decent at thigns behooves him. ) You might be surprised. Socializing can be ( don't lie, fitz. ) interesting. Sometimes. Are dragons not social creatures?
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in any case, fitz pauses, at the very least giving the illusion of thought. in truth he has his answer, but he imagines arctic will appreciate him putting weight on his answer with dramatic consideration. )
Do you recall, I spoke of the dragon keepers of my world to you? I've met them, now. Elderlings. They aren't ... well, they take care of their dragons, provide for them. Give them warm rocks to sun on and sand to bathe in, and polish their claws and their scales until they shine like glimmering gemstones. Essentially they work as groomers. All that to say — I'd be happy to be keeper for you. Not master, with you as my pet. I'm not so arrogant to think a dragon can be owned as one, nor any animal under the care of a man. If it is a role we must play, then so be it. A role it shall remain.
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...I knew you would be the right person for the job. Glad to see my trust wasn't misplaced.
[Smooth as ice, he sounds about as impressed as he has ever allowed himself to be around this crew.]
However, the grooming won't be necessary. I only ask that we work together to maintain my cover. My hope is that I can use this role to gather information that others might not be able to... So long as the local population believes I am a mere animal.
[Congrats on getting the worlds shittiest house cat, Fitz. Arctic still has more concerns to air, though, continuing:]
Have you selected a mate already? Because I would also appreciate if you could impress upon them a similar attitude of respect.
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in any case, he'll try not to be disappointed about the no grooming. at heart, fitz never left the stables of buckkeep where his bed was a pile of hay nestled against a hound dog, in a pile of her puppies like one of her own. he loves caring for animals — he imagines he'd love caring for dragons, too. )
Then work together we shall.
( he doesn't stutter at the word "mate" because, well. he calls his own daughter "cub." there are parts of fitz that remain irrevocably animal, even after all this time. )
I will make sure it is known. Have you met Alina Starkov? She is ( how to describe alina, um, in a nice way, hm ) oftentimes very difficult, but she's not the type to talk down to someone. ( well, ) Unless they deserve it. ( ah ) I will let her know. She will be respectful.
( respectful..........alina starkov............hm. )
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So long as she knows not to treat me like a mere animal, then I'm certain we'll get along just fine.
[Yeah right.]
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