The second memorable encounter hadn't been with spirits, but with a dragon.
Jack was used to unusual things (after all, his existence wasn't exactly normal), but he certainly hadn't expected to come face-to-face with a fire breathing night fury.
Apparently, some animals could sense his presence.
Coming that close to a flame had made him regret every decision that led him to that moment. This was all rendered moot a second later, when the creature bounded forward and licked him playfully.
"Down, boy!" Jack sputtered, wiping his face dry with his sleeve. The dragon sat obediently on its hind legs, tail thumping the ground. "Oh, you cannot be serious." It had his staff in its mouth.
The dragon smiled around the stick in response.
"No offense, bud," Jack said, cautiously stepping forward, "but I really don't feel like melting today." He inched forward another step. "And I kind of need my staff to do my job. So maybe don't snap it and don't fry me?"
The dragon tipped its head to the side, as if considering his words, before obliging. Jack smiled but kept his gaze locked with the dragon's as he bent down to pick up the staff. He was surprised when its black head edged closer and bumped his shoulder. Jack sighed. "You're alright, I suppose…"
"Toothless!" A voice called from across the clearing, causing both of them to turn in its direction. Jack was surprised to see an armored young man heading towards them; his lack of reaction to the scene confirmed that Jack still was invisible to humans.
"Time for you to go home, Toothless," he murmured, petting the dragon on the head one final time before nudging him towards his owner. To his surprise (and slight disgust), Toothless lunged forward and licked his face before bounding away.
"Come on, boy, don't slobber all over yourself," Jack could hear the man saying as he scratched behind the dragon's ears. The reminder that he was invisible to humans was painful, but he waited until Toothless and the man left the clearing before taking flight once more.