With a yawn, I slowly opened my eyes, relaxed from the warmth and my dreamless sleep. However, I froze as I realized the presence of the Kymari in the room. However, I relaxed when I heard his gentle snoring. He's just asleep. I sighed in relief and looked at his blanket-covered form. Obnoxiously, his head was on the armrest closest to me as he laid sprawled across the couch. I eyed his spaghetti-like dark green hair, then flinched as he released a murmuring exhalation. Thankfully, he remained asleep. Other than the armor scattered in the corner, the rest of the room remained unchanged.

As I regained control over my limp body, I noticed the now-filled food bowl. This time, the paste also had tiny slivers of fruit mixed in. I sniffed the fruity concoction and noted a slight metallic smell. A quick test of the water also resulted in an identical smell.

I tried to move my wings, only to notice that both felt encumbered. I with a blink, I looked at my back and noticed the cloth wrap that blanketed it. I didn't see a knot and flinched at the bitter taste as I bit into the cloth. I'm not going to chew through that. I eyed the fabric and restlessly shifted my wings, thankfully without much pain or any sense of weakness. I glanced at the sleeping Kymari, then decided against attempting to flame the dressing.

I panted slightly. I need to move; I am hot under this lamp. As I tried to stand, a groan escaped my lips. I froze and glanced at the man, grateful that he appeared asleep. When the pain-spots faded from my vision, I glanced at my left elbow, then paused as I noticed the stiff brace that kept it pinned closer to my chest. It probably isn't broken if I did not need a cast. I carefully evaluated the rest of my body, but other than a few spots with varying degrees of soreness, a broken claw, and a few scabs, I didn't notice any other injuries. At least that is good news, but I still need to get out of here.

I glanced around and evaluated my surroundings. Much to my surprise, I wasn't in a cage. A massive window behind me overlooked a wide tree-lined street several stories below. Even the trees looked small from the vantage point.

Overall, the apartment was small, with only four rooms: a kitchen, a bathroom, what I assumed was a bedroom, and the largest room was the living area. Other than the coffee table, couch, and the table I rested on; the living space appeared undecorated. I don't see any places to hide, so sneaking out is not an option.

With a trembling pause, I managed to rise on my three good legs. I took a moment to use the litter tray on the far side of the table, then refocused on the rest of the room. After a bit of hesitation, I limped over to the edge of the table, then scrambled atop the back of the couch. Panting silently, I laid down and studied my captor. His short hair messily laid across his face like spilled burnt spaghetti. The muscular Kymari slept surprisingly soundly despite his feet dangling off of the far edge.

I glanced out the window and noted the midday sun as it gleamed through the glass patio doors. A small balcony with a few healthy plants was beyond the glass, but to my dismay, the window faced west. Also, I didn't see a way to open the door, despite my blood memories saying it could. Well, I guess I can't escape that way, and I have no idea how the main door opens either.

Suddenly, a bit of drowsiness washed over me, and the padded seat back was comfortable. I think the drugs are kicking in again. My scales had cooled, but I was still warm. However, I jumped as my guest's rhythmic breathing skipped with a sudden murmur. I thoughtlessly scrambled back to the heat lamp and laid down with my eyes closed. I haven't moved, I stayed right here, asleep.

As if my silent plea was a self-fulfilling prophecy, the sleepiness reemerged as my adrenaline plummeted. Soon, my energy levels followed suit. I nearly descended into the realm of dreams.

However, my slow descent into unconsciousness was interrupted by the sound of my roommate moving. Based on the slight noises he made, he picked up my food and water bowls and carried them away. After a few moments of rummaging, he placed another bowl back on my table as he sat on the couch.

I nearly squawked as he gently picked me up and laid me on his lap. I squeezed my eyes shut and trembled as he removed the cloth loop from my back. What is he going to do to me? Am I going to die? I flinched as his fingers touched my spine, then paused as he stroked my scales with something on his fingers.

After a pause, my muscles relaxed and I slowly fell back asleep as he gingerly rubbed and stretched each of my limbs.

The next thing I knew, I was back beneath the heat lamp with the Kymari was gone. I sleepily blinked as I stretched but once again found my wings bound with the cloth and the brace still on my arm. What was that? I sniffed myself and noticed a somewhat-familiar small waft off of my scales. Was that oil? It smells similar to how the harnessed dragonets smell. Does it always make them feel like that?

My train of thought is immediately shattered by the Kymari suddenly emerging from the bathroom. His damp hair has been combed and controlled, and he wore a fresh set of clothes. "Hello," he spoke in a soft tone.

I flinched and tried to make myself as calm as possible. He quickly grabbed something from the kitchen, then returned and sat next to me. With a steady hand, he held a bright berry near me.

My mouth watered as my stomach growled slightly. A sunburst berry? Where did he get one? I got maybe one a month, and here was a bright orange berry. I fidgeted as my blood memories reminded me that Kymari were endlessly patient, and my instincts increased my desire to eat the delectable berry.

Eventually, I slowly reached out my neck and gripped the delectable fruit. The second I had it in my grasp, I pulled my head back and grabbed the treat with my uninjured paw. He offered another as I savored the sunburst berry with small bites. Sadly, I never saw where he was keeping the rest of the treats. Regardless, I returned for ten more berries before my hunger was sated and overwhelmed my nerves.

I panicked as a musical tone reverberated through the room. "Come in," the Kymari briefly shifted his focus to the door as it silently slid open. "Leun, thank you for coming." He stood as he greeted the casually dressed newcomer.

I glanced at the stranger, but I failed to see much with my captor standing in the way. I noted the new Kymari's shoulder pads, but I did not think anything of it.

"I hope Chloe can help the fire lizard relax most of the notes I read show vast improvement after another fire lizard visits a recently-captured one." A small, barely noticeable smile formed on his face. "Even if the elders decide she is to be released, I don't want her to spend her time here stressed."

"Give me a moment," I blinked as I spotted the harnessed green fire lizard perched on the stranger's shoulder as he nodded to my caretaker. "I have to wait until he permits me to see you, so they don't panic."

"You have to obey like a slave?" I fidgeted and held my wings closer to my sides as my thoughts drowned out the two Kymari's discussion.

"No, not like that!" The green dragonet tried to send soothing thoughts along with her words, but they were ineffective against my building fears. "I'm just like another person in Leun's eyes. This is only to keep up the appearance when non-handlers are around! The Kymari aren't slave masters and we are not pets."

"Please don't tell me you talk to them?!" Internally, I panic. I watch as the handler approaches, my brown eyes locked on his green ones.

"It's ok," he soothes ineffectively and holds out a fist to his companion, "Chloe, to fist." After the green dragonet hops onto his arm like a well-trained pet, he lowers her down to the level of the table. "Go on."

Upon the command, Chloe hopped onto the table. "You don't have to talk to them, and Leun will never tell my secret." She chirped as she settled next to me, the warm glow of the heat lamp radiating onto her scales. "Your lamp is nice," she purred slightly.

"I think it's too warm," I mumbled in return.

She hummed and was silent for a second, "The Kymari won't hurt you, I promise. They consider our kind a protected species."

"But how can you stand to be around them? They are gigantic! They could kill us easily and exterminate all of us! They'll put us in cages!" I dug deeper into the sand and deafened my ears to the Kymari's continued discussion.

"I've never been in a cage, and I get almost daily visits to a park." Chloe quickly responded. After a short pause, she spoke again. "I admit that it was hard to overcome my fear at first, but no Kymari in their right mind would ever purposefully harm a dragonet." She nuzzled my shoulder. "For a while, the only thing that kept me going was the promise of hunting sicora, but life with the Kymari is much more interesting than sunbathing all day."

I barely managed to contain my instinctual hiss at the thought of the black beast. Once I calmed, I looked to the green dragonet, my words silenced by the thoughts racing through my head. Could I help destroy sicora? It would be more interesting than sunbathing until I overheat and swimming whin I get bored. I briefly kneaded the warm golden sand beneath my talons. But the Kymari... I glanced at the Kymari, then looked at Chloe. "Are you sure they won't hurt me? And no cages?"

"Of course not," she assured, "And once he trusts you, you can start training, but you'll also have to get over your fear."

"I'll try," I slowly admitted. I focused on the two Kymari. I did not know how I would get over my fear, but if there were no cages, I thought I could do it. "Thank you for explaining everything to me."

"I'm glad to help, and if you can mindlink me with questions. If you change your mind about joining the hunt, then they will release you." Chloe smiled with a quiet tweet. "Though I will mention to Leun that this place needs perches or something. You have a heat lamp and a litter tray, sure, but a climbing tree would be nice."

"Just sitting here does get boring." I slowly admitted, my blood memories bringing up images of cat trees and bird perches.

Chloe nodded, "what did you think of the oiling? I can smell it on you."

"It felt nice, but he did it while I was drugged. It was terrifying when I gained a bit of energy back." I shook myself, but not enough for my scales to twinkle. "At least I am confident  that he won't hurt me."

"They won't," Chloe promised.

I smiled a bit and nodded.