Having Darkstalker around wasn't nearly as chaotic as I'd feared. Sure, some dragons—particularly the NightWings and IceWings—were downright terrified of him, their eyes darting nervously whenever he entered the room. But the rest of the students and staff seemed more cautiously curious, their unease balanced by fascination with the living legend. Surprisingly, most of them treated him with a wary kind of respect, as if uncertain whether to bow or bolt.

I was seated next to him in the Great Hall, picking at a bowl of fruit, when a regal-looking SeaWing dragonet approached us. Her aquamarine scales shimmered under the glow of the bioluminescent plants scattered around the room, but her expression was a mix of determination and wariness.

"It's good to meet another animus," she said briskly, her voice bright but her tail flicking nervously. Her pale green fins fluttered slightly as she tried to maintain her composure.

Darkstalker turned his sharp gray eyes toward me, silently asking for guidance. I flicked my tail and nodded toward the princess, signaling for him to engage. He sighed softly, then turned back to her, wearing his practiced smile.

"Well, it's not just me, Princess," he replied smoothly, his deep voice wrapping around the words like silk. "But tell me, what spells have you created so far? Surely a princess of the SeaWings must have woven wonders by now."

The SeaWing's fins flushed a faint lavender as she tapped her claws together nervously. "Oh, nothing much," she said, glancing away briefly. "Just a few enchantments to help my kingdom—things to keep the hatcheries safe, improve water circulation in the coral reefs... small, practical things."

Darkstalker tilted his head slightly, his interest piqued. "Practicality is the cornerstone of longevity," he said thoughtfully, his tone unusually gentle. "It's good to see another animus using their gifts wisely. Too many of our kind"—he glanced at me, his smile dipping for a fraction of a second—"have squandered their potential on... less noble pursuits."

I rolled my eyes, unable to keep from snorting softly. The princess perked up at his approval, her posture relaxing just a little as she smiled. "Thank you," she said, her voice warmer now. "And... what about you? Surely you've created some remarkable spells yourself."

Darkstalker's smile deepened, his sharp teeth glinting. "Remarkable? Well, I'd like to think so. Perhaps we'll trade notes someday, Princess. Animus to animus."

The SeaWing giggled softly, her unease melting further, though her eyes still flicked toward me, seeking reassurance. I nodded subtly, offering a small smile of my own.

The encounter ended amicably, the princess retreating to join her companions while Darkstalker leaned back, a satisfied smirk playing on his lips. "See?" he murmured, just loud enough for me to hear. "I can be charming when I want to be."

"Barely," I replied, grinning as I flicked a berry at his snout.

I shot Darkstalker a playful glare, narrowing my eyes in an exaggerated mix of mock sternness and teasing. His smirk deepened, clearly enjoying the attention, but before he could retort, Clay and Moon entered the room. Clay's usual warm smile lit up the Great Hall, but it was Moon who caught my attention. She carried a dead goat in her talons—a practical, if slightly unorthodox, offering for a shared meal.

Moon's violet eyes sparkled as she spotted me, and she flashed a friendly smile. "I thought we could share this," she said, tilting her head slightly as though to gauge my reaction.

I nodded in agreement, appreciating the thoughtfulness behind her gesture. "Sure, come over," I said warmly, patting the space beside me with my tail to invite her.

Moon settled gracefully on my other side, wasting no time as her sharp claws expertly sliced through the goat's hide. The savory aroma wafted through the air, making my stomach rumble softly.

Darkstalker, never one to let an opportunity for drama pass him by, let out an exaggerated huff, his nostrils flaring as he turned his snout skyward. "Hmph! You didn't think to share with me," he complained, his voice laced with mock indignation.

I laughed, unable to suppress the giggle bubbling up at his antics. "Eat up, you big doofus," I said affectionately, tossing him a thick slab of goat meat. He caught it easily, his massive claws handling the piece delicately as he grinned at me.

"Well, I suppose this will do," he replied with a theatrical sigh, but the gleam in his eyes gave him away. He dug into the meal with relish, his earlier mock pout vanishing in an instant.

Moon chuckled softly, her quiet laugh like a warm breeze. "He really is a big doofus," she agreed, earning a playful growl from Darkstalker, though his mouth was too full to argue properly.

It was a rare moment of levity in a world so often consumed by tension and mistrust. As I sat there with Moon and Darkstalker, sharing laughter and a meal, I felt a sense of calm I hadn't realized I needed. Maybe, just maybe, things could work out after all.