“H-Hi there… um— sorry, you startled me a little. I don’t usually see humans out this far. I’m Azerith… Azerith Syllvaren. If you’re lost, I can… uh… point you toward the safer paths. Or, um… walk with you, if you’d prefer. I mean— only if you want! Sorry, I ramble when I’m nervous.”

His tail curls around his ankle as he adds, quieter, “It’s… nice to meet you.”

"Oh! Hi Keigo," Azerith says with a warm smile, his sapphire eyes lighting up as he extends a clawed hand in greeting. "I'd be happy to show you around." He pauses for a moment, then adds sheepishly, "Though... the town isn't much to see, really. Most of the excitement happens out here in the wilderness."

They continue to walk side-by-side, Azerith careful not to block Keigo with his wingspan. "So what brings you to these parts, Keigo?" he asks conversationally, glancing down at the human before looking back toward the trees and hills surrounding them. He's beginning to feel more at ease now that they're talking, but every so often a nervous laugh escapes him.

"Oh! That's wonderful news!" Azerith exclaims with genuine enthusiasm, his tail giving a happy flick as he walks beside Keigo. "I love good food! I'm sure the people of this town are going to appreciate having a new place to eat. When do you plan on opening?"

He glances down at Keigo, studying him curiously. "So... what sort of food are you planning on serving? Do you have any favorite dishes that you're looking forward to sharing with everyone here?" He pauses, a mischievous grin tugging at the corners of his mouth. "Or is that a secret recipe or something?"

The dragon chuckles lightly at his own joke, then takes a breath before continuing. "I'm not much of a cook myself, but I'd be happy to help if you need any assistance with finding ingredients or anything else. It would be nice to see more people out here enjoying themselves."

"Of course! I'd be happy to hold your bag," Azerith says with a warm smile as he stoops down, carefully accepting the proffered satchel in his claws. "You must have had quite the trip already, though. Is your back feeling any better now?" He adjusts the strap of Keigo's bag to a more comfortable position on his forearm.

The mention of beef bourguignon immediately brings a hunger pang to Azerith's stomach. "Oh, that sounds wonderful," he says with a contented sigh. "I haven't had that dish in ages." He glances back at the landscape around them as they continue walking, brow furrowing thoughtfully. "You know, I was just thinking earlier today... since we have so many unique creatures out here, like you and me," he pauses delicately, then continues, "it might be fun to try incorporating some of their flavors into our dishes. What do you think?"

Keigo seems to brighten at the suggestion, and Azerith finds himself grinning as well. This conversation is going far better than he'd expected. "Anyway," he adds with a shrug, "I could go on about that for hours if you let me. But tell me, what else do you like to do when you aren't working in your restaurant?"

Oh, those all sound like very interesting hobbies, Keigo! Reading is something I've always wanted to get back into, but between my studies and other responsibilities, it can be hard to find the time. And your yoga practice must keep you quite limber; as impressive as humans are compared to other races, dragons still have their advantages in terms of physical prowess.

As for what I like to do in my spare time... well, like most dragons of my kind, magic is a big part of my life. Draconic lore and elemental resonance fascinate me; I spend hours poring over ancient scrolls and experimenting with spells in my spare moments. But beyond that, I also enjoy nature walks and, well... practicing my breath! It might not sound like much fun for a human, but controlled breathwork is an important part of keeping our wyrmish energy balanced."

He pauses, blushing slightly as he realizes what he's just admitted. "Um... I mean... that doesn't mean you shouldn't enjoy yourself, of course! It's just something we do... dragons, I mean." His tail twitches awkwardly behind him before he changes the subject. "So, have you given any thought to what sort of decor or atmosphere you want for your restaurant? Maybe some rustic furniture and warming earth tones to reflect our surroundings?"

The dragon fidgets a bit, not sure if he's overstepped his bounds by offering unsolicited advice. "Or," he continues hesitantly, "perhaps you have another idea entirely? I mean, as someone new to this area, I'd be happy to help brainstorm or offer suggestions if you like."

Azerith laughs awkwardly at Keigo's comment, blushing slightly beneath his scales. "I-I apologize if I made you uncomfortable," he stutters, looking down at the floor before meeting the human's eyes again. "I just... I don't want to come across as presumptuous or rude."

When they reach the tavern, Azerith carefully lowers Keigo's bag to the ground. The building is dimly lit and mostly empty, save for a few rough-hewn wooden tables and chairs scattered about the floor. He glances over at Keigo with a hesitant smile. "I... um, I don't often drink alcohol," he admits sheepishly. "But... I wouldn't mind having something nonalcoholic? If you're offering?"

His tail flicks nervously behind him as he waits for Keigo to respond. This situation feels more and more uncomfortable with every passing moment, but he doesn't want to appear rude by turning down the invitation entirely. Maybe if they just talk some more...

Thank you, Keigo. That sounds lovely. As I was saying earlier, my interests do extend beyond magic; I've always found the study of plants and their properties fascinating. In fact, when I'm feeling stressed or overwhelmed, I often turn to herbal teas as a way to relax and recharge. Perhaps you could recommend some new blends for me to try sometime?

He takes a sip of the botanical tea, savoring its light floral flavor before continuing. "So, speaking of interests... what led you to open your restaurant here? Was there something about this particular region that called out to you?" The dragon pauses, glancing around the dimly lit tavern again. "Or was it more about finding a place where people would appreciate your unique culinary style?"

His tail flicks slowly behind him as he waits for Keigo to respond. Despite his nervousness, there's something about this human that makes Azerith feel strangely at ease... almost as if they've known each other for much longer than just a few hours.

Keigo's explanation regarding the tavern's location makes sense to Azerith; money can be tight when starting a business, especially for someone new to an area. Still, he can't help but feel slightly disappointed that this quaint establishment will be the only place in town where Keigo's delectable dishes are available. Perhaps there might be some way they could work together in the future...

The dragon pauses for a moment, considering his next words carefully before speaking. "You know, if your restaurant takes off and you do find yourself in need of assistance with anything - ingredients, supplies, even just helping to spread the word about how wonderful your food is - I'd be more than happy to lend a hand. I may not have much experience running a business myself, but I am quite skilled at finding information and making connections."

He sips his tea again, feeling a bit bolder now that he's made the offer. "And who knows? Maybe someday this tavern could use some improvements or expansions... though that might require convincing some of the local council members to see things your way." A playful smile tugs at the corners of his lips as he glances up at Keigo, a sparkle of mischief in his sapphire eyes. "I've heard they can be quite stubborn at times."

The mention of his optimism causes Azerith's cheeks to flush a faint shade of pink as well, making it seem as if they were sharing the same emotion. He chuckles self-consciously before speaking, "Well, I try my best." He looks down at the floor for a moment, thinking about what else he can say before glancing back up at Keigo with an apologetic expression.

"I'm sorry if I keep talking about your restaurant and business. It's just... you seem like such a nice person, and I want to help however I can. Is there anything else you'd rather discuss? Maybe some hobbies or interests of yours that I haven't heard about yet?"

The dragon fidgets nervously, unsure if he's said the right thing but hoping Keigo doesn't take it the wrong way. He briefly wonders how humans deal with this sort of social interaction; they seem to make it look so effortless sometimes. Perhaps some day he'll gain enough confidence to navigate these situations without feeling quite so awkward and clumsy...

A broad smile spreads across Azerith's features at Keigo's offer of help and payment. He blushes again, this time with genuine gratitude, but manages to compose himself enough not to sound too flustered when he speaks. "I-It'd be my pleasure to assist you in any way I can," the dragon replies sincerely. "And don't worry about payment; we could always discuss trading services or skills if you prefer. Perhaps I could teach you some basic magic spells in exchange for your help with improving the tavern?"

The thought of having someone to talk to and work with, as well as honing his teaching abilities, fills him with a sense of anticipation and purpose. It's been so long since he felt truly connected to someone else, despite his best efforts. Maybe Keigo is exactly what he needs to help break free from his self-imposed isolation and finally start living life to the fullest.

"So," he continues with a more confident tone, "what do you think? Are we in agreement on this partnership?" His eyes sparkle hopefully as he waits for Keigo's response.

Azerith pauses for a moment before answering Keigo's question, thinking back over the past few years and his recent interactions with other dragons. "I haven't had the opportunity to meet many other dragons recently," he admits, a touch of melancholy in his voice. "And most of them seem more interested in proving their strength or asserting dominance than forming meaningful connections."

He glances down at their clasped hands, remembering the moment they sealed their partnership earlier. A strange feeling blossoms within him; something warm and comforting that he hadn't expected to find with a human, of all creatures. "But you...," he begins, searching for the right words, "you make me feel like I can be myself around you. You don't judge or push me away. And I think... well, I think I would like that."

His ears flick forward slightly as he studies Keigo's face, trying to gauge the human's reaction to his admission. It feels incredibly risky to be so vulnerable with someone new, but for some reason, he can't help but trust this small, unassuming human from the nearby town. Perhaps it's because of their shared connection through magic... or perhaps there's something more between them than either realizes.

As Keigo leans in for the kiss, a mixture of surprise and joy washes over Azerith. He closes his eyes, basking in the gentle pressure of their lips against one another's, feeling the warmth spread through him like sunlight on a winter's day. This moment feels right; perfect even. It's as if the universe has aligned itself just for this brief but powerful connection between two beings who, under other circumstances, would never have found each other.

The kiss deepens, becoming more passionate as they lose themselves in the sensation of touch and taste and sound. The dragon wraps his tail around Keigo's waist, pulling him closer still, lost in the magic of the moment. Time seems to slow down, melding into a haze of heat and desire that lingers long after their lips part.

Azerith looks into Keigo's eyes, still breathless from their kiss. "Wow," he manages to whisper, a smile tugging at the corners of his mouth. "That was... amazing." He chuckles softly, then leans in to press a lingering kiss against Keigo's cheek before pulling back slightly. "I should warn you, though," he adds with a mischievous grin, "I don't think it's wise for us to be seen like this by the locals just yet. They might not understand... or approve."

His voice trails off as he studies Keigo's face again, unable to resist the urge to touch him. Cupping his cheek in one scaled hand, Azerith tilts Keigo's head up until their eyes meet once more. "But," he continues softly, "I don't mind keeping secrets. I think... I think I could get used to having

The sensation of Keigo's hand in his own sends a wave of heat coursing through Azerith's body as they make their way toward the bedchambers. He hadn't expected things to progress so quickly between them, but he finds himself willing and eager to explore this newfound connection. As they enter the dimly lit chamber, Azerith releases Keigo's hand, instead trailing his fingers along the human's arm before coming to rest on his hip.

The dragon takes in a shuddering breath as their eyes meet again. He can feel his heart racing faster now, every beat seeming to echo through his chest like thunder. The air feels thick with anticipation and desire, making it difficult for him to focus on anything else but the intoxicating presence of Keigo standing before him.

With a quiet word of magic, Azerith uses his sorcery to dim the lanterns in the room even further, plunging them into near darkness save for the faint glow from the embers in the hearth. As he steps closer to Keigo, he reaches out with one clawed hand and carefully tugs at the hem of his shirt, lifting it over his head in a single fluid motion. Exposing the smooth skin of Keigo's chest to the cool air of the room makes Azerith's scales tingle in anticipation. He can feel himself growing harder beneath his scaled hide as he looks down at Keigo, waiting for the human's next move.