A Chronometric Defect

I'm getting somewhat bored sitting in this room. I decided it was annoying kneeling, so I've flopped onto my scaly butt to get comfortable.

Hopefully, they don't come in here with an army. I have no information about whom I'm facing, or how strong they are. So, while it may seem silly to sit tight, my alternative is possibly fighting the entire dang city.

I examine my gleaming scales and sharp bladed spikes. I look lovingly at my larger and sharper claws. I brush my hand against my chest's thick armored plates.

*skrrch*

...

I'm literally covered in weapons and armor.

...

I feel contentment as I study myself. My grand draconic body is indeed formidable.

Mmhmm.

...

And worthy of admiration.

...

I really enjoy gazing at myself, somehow.

...

I strongly doubt this city can handle a dragon. Otherwise, I get the sense they'd have done... Something, other than surround this house.

Except, if I do go out there? After I win, the possibility that I get marked for death by the whole nation is high. I don't want a hero after my scaly hide so soon.

...

I continue admiring said scaly hide.

...

I'm a dragon now, apparently.

But even if humans are small animals which barely reach past my knees, I also know an army of ants can strip an elephant. I won't go charging out without any plan or attempt to leave peacefully. Maybe that's the effect of those Int and Wis stats finally kicking in.

I happily examine my scaly foot.

It's shaped much differently than before. One, it's much wider at the front and has heavily armored scales on its topside. Two, there's a claw on the back I can move around like a thumb. Three, I now have only four toes at the front instead of the five I had as a kaizen and human.

...

Four, it looks similar to a hand.

Hmm.

I flex my foot a bit, trying to get a sense of how it all works. Indeed, I can curl my foot like a hand. Why does it feel so normal to stand on?

I flex it a bit more. Then, my toes.

Yep. It's a hand... Foot... Thing. How strange.

I'm not sure what other changes may have taken place, but that'll all have to wait.

I look up.

*krree-nch*

A sound like broken wood being stepped on echoes from the front of the house.

*kren-chn*

*krrn-tak*

I look at the piles of broken wood strewn around me. Yes— I know that sound well.

I hear a woman's voice.

"You, dragon. I wish to enter."

"Uhh, sure? It ain't my house."

My attempt at passivity goes over like a lead balloon; the woman takes a big step back.

*TUNK*

Which is probably because my voice sounds like a monster who's crawled out from the depths of hell. It's deep and gravelly with a sharp overtone, the latter making me sound like I've eaten a thousand tortured souls every day for breakfast. Which tooootally explains why that first armored guy ran away. No idea why I didn't notice it before.

*shiiiing*

Dang. That's the clearest sound of a sword being drawn I've ever heard.

I look down at my impressive dragon scales. Swords probably won't do much; I'm not worried.

I look back at the door.

...

She seems to be standing still.

...

She finally calls out.

"Why are you here, then?"

"I don't know. I found a neat box and wanted to, um, take it. It didn't work out. Sorry about that."

Silence.

Then—

"You broke into this city to take a random box? In the middle of a slum? I don't believe you."

I had no idea this was a slum, alright?

"Look, the box was empty. Now you all have me surrounded. So, what'd I get for my troubles but a whole lot more trouble? May I leave? Please?"

She sounds surprised.

"You want to leave, dragon?"

Eh? Well, did you want me to stay?

"Indeed, that I do."

A pause.

"Why?"

"Because I'm bored?"

"Huh? What?"

This clearly throws the woman for a loop. She pauses for a long moment, then continues speaking.

...

"May I enter?"

"I already told you; I don't care. Sure. Enter."

*kreek*

I hear a creaking noise. Then, silence. Finally—

"I'm entering."

"Cool."

She still doesn't move. She calls out,

"Aren't you going to do anything?"

"No? Why would I piss you all off? Come in or don't come in, I don't care. I just want to leave."

Silence for a moment.

"Where do you intend to go?"

I have no idea. I decide to go all in on this 'randomly curious dragon' persona I've created.

"Maybe I'll go find more neat boxes? I dunno. What do dragons usually do when they're bored?"

She really didn't like that question.

She's silent for quite a while.

Then...

"I'm coming in."

Another creaking sound.

*kreeek*

I hear footsteps.

*tok*

*tok*

*tak*

Finally, I see a figure at the door. She sees my huge clawed foot first. She reflexively takes a step back, hand going to her sword. Except, it's obvious I'm sitting down with my razor-adorned tail wrapped around my side. She drops her guard. She then cautiously enters the doorway once more.

She looks up at my face.

Her whole body recoils in fear and panic, her shoulders fall, and then she resists instinctively curling up. She almost falls to the ground as she does.

I have no idea why, but... She wants to flee. I can somehow tell she's fighting her instincts. As if it's in my draconic nature to know such things.

I try to speak in the most chipper tone possible.

"Hi."

It comes out more like a woodchipper happily chopping away at a human arm.

Sigh!

She almost kneels to the ground at my greeting. After a few moments, she finally manages to pull herself together well enough to speak.

"What... What... Are you doing?"

"Sitting."

A look of consternation crosses her fear-stricken face.

"I can see that... I mean, why are you sitting."

"I already explained. I don't want to piss you guys off."

After a moment of contemplation, she finally starts to stand again. However, she shivers the whole way up.

She remains hunched and can't stand straight once she's almost there. She's also breathing very heavily.

Wow, am I THAT scary?

She responds.

"You can't be here."

I roll my eyes.

"Yes, that is extremely obvious in hindsight. So, may I leave? I don't want to be here either."

"Fine. Will you wait until nightfall? There's no way you can be seen in the city. Not like that."

Now I'm truly a curious dragon.

"Like what?"

"You don't know?"

"Uhm, no? To what are you referring?"

"Uhh. Look, just stay here until nightfall. I promise on my honor you can leave safely."

"Well, hold on. Can you get me a mirror?"

"You know the purpose of a mirror?"

"To reflect light, yes? I want to see myself."

She seems stunned into confusion.

...

"I don't know what light you mean, but sure— you can see yourself. Okay. If a mirror will let you leave peacefully, I can do that. May I go?"

"Suit yourself."

"You don't care?"

I raise one scale-armored eyebrow... Eyeshield at her.

"Should I care?"

I give her a wide smile.

She cowers, almost crumpling.

"NO! No! Never mind! Thank you! I'm going."

Perhaps I showed too many sharp teeth.

She shuffles out.

*shkerka*

Then, she nearly bolts through the house at a sprint, despite her weird gait.

*SHD*

*SHD*

*SHD*

The front door slams, and then, silence.

*KLAM*

...

After a few moments, I hear more normal steps.

*tak*

{*tak*}

{*tak*}

"Well, this whole day has been nothing but a wreck, hasn't it, you damn wooden box."

I toss pieces of the chest into the air. They fall upon myself and the floor with a slight clatter.

*klik-tak*

*taka*

*thok*

I barely feel the wood or metal hitting my scales.

Curious.

I pull my hand into a clawing shape, then grate my leg's exposed scales with my own claws.

#SHREERSKH#

Dang, that's loud.

I examine my leg's scales. They glint in the evening sunlight passing through the eastern window.

Not a single scratch.

I have some pretty absurd defense.

I look at my claws.

Somehow I can't see their surface, never mind any damage. Their sharp tips aren't the least bit blunted. I don't know how that's possible.

Magic?

...

Sigh.

Yeah, my scales may be majestic, but I should worry about magic. Guess I need to prepare myself in case they're buying time to launch a more coordinated attack.

Let's see what else I can learn.