Chapter 2: Dragon's Duty

Balqis knew it was a matter of time before any beast asked her of this question. There were a lot of things she would rather bury in the past. But, something about this old Komodo dragon made her feel comfortable in opening herself up.

Maybe she could relax for now.

"Well, I was told that the surface would be more interesting than what I've know underground," she explained, popping a few fries into her mouth. "We were told stories about beasts above ground and in the waters. Those of us that left the underground will never come back. For roaming free, we need to adapt and do what we can to survive at a price. I usually hang about the library, where learning your language and everything to know about this world has helped me."

Gosha sipped his drink while his eyes trained on her. Not like a carnivore that was ready to devour her, but with curiosity.

"So...you forgot how to speak your own language?"

Balqis only shrugged. "I left the undergrounds when I was very small and learnt how to survive until I decided to forge my own path. So, I wore these to hide my true nature. I've...heard a few rumours about what beasts would do to humans..."

She was about to leave and pay the bill, but Gosha's tail touched her ankle gently. "What rumours?" His piercing eyes bore into hers. Searching for something she didn't know.

Balqis met his gaze, realising how warm his smile was that reflected those kind eyes. She found herself answering in a hushed tone, "We humans are nothing but food for carnivores and a way to..."

She couldn't say the last part because it was absurd yet a reality for her species. Instinctively, she tried to cover herself tightly. Balqis felt his scaley clawed hand covered her ungloved left hand. She already had some sanitiser before they entered the diner. His large hands were softer than she would have thought they would be against her skin considering it was covered with glistened scales that reminded her of pebbles from the river.

They were beautiful, but not as close to those kind eyes and smile that made her have the sudden urge to get to know him. From the growls in his voice that satisfied her ears, to how cool his scaley hand felt against her skin. She wanted to brush a thumb over it but refrained from doing so.

It was an indescribable feeling but knowing how humans were with beasts, she will still be on guard despite this dragon's gentle disposition.

"Sorry, you don't have to answer the last part," Gosha assured her. Balqis gazed up at him with a grateful smile. "Thank you. Come, let's finish our meal before you leave for the kindergarten. Don't want to keep those kids waiting."

This made the Komodo dragon laughed, noticing something purplish dribbling at the corner of his mouth. Without thinking, she took her napkin and wiped where she saw that purple liquid. His eyes widened at the action while her own heart is racing.

"Y-you had a little mess...there..." she whispered, gnawing at her bottom lip. She didn't know why he made her feel so nervous. Even the towering dragon himself was flustered. Was it possible for reptiles to feel embarrassed? She observed a few reptiles being cool-headed

"Thanks..."

Sensing the tension, Balqis immediately went over the counter to pay. How she had money despite being a human in a world of animals would be something to discuss in the future. For now, the two of them exited the diner with a newfound friendship.

"Balqis?"

She was about to leave but stopped in her track. Already donning her disguise, she turned around to meet him. One of his clawed hands was partially trying to reach for something. "Yes?"

Breaking the silence he asked, "Do you mind me asking how old are you?"

"Old..," she looked at him confuse for a moment before realising, "Oh you mean how many name days! I have seen 34 name days or years as you put it. What about you? How old are you?"

He gave her a very small smile that didn't reach his eyes, "How would you say it? I have seen 54 name days."

She flushed at him using her terminology. She looked from his eyes to his lips before averting them elsewhere. 'He might have a wife and child! Get whatever you were thinking out of your mind,' she scolded herself.

Needless to say, she decided to follow him since she doesn't have anything else to do except hang around the library or walk into town in her disguise. Only a few beasts noticed, with their turning heads and nose close as she walked passed them.

"Where are we going?" she asked, keeping up her stride since Gosha was very tall. She eyed his tail, strong and sturdy enough to crack one's bone in half. Almost having a sudden urge to touch it, she began to pad beside him.

"We're going to the kindergarten I mentioned," he told her, his tone sort of fast. Was he nervous about something? Do the animals fear him or the other way around? "I should have asked at the diner if you would like to join me..."

She grasped his clawed hand in hers to give it a squeeze. "I'd love to. I was thinking of following you to be honest..."

...

The kindergarten was a place Gosha found another purpose in his life. After his grandson, Legosi left for Cherryton Academy and the death of his late wife and daughter, he needed to find a way to help those in the situation such as him.

Interspecies couples produce hybrid children, and as a result, no school in this country would take them because they were viewed as 'tainted' beings. It was unfair for those children because they never asked to be born.

Best thing he could do would be to make this hybrid kindergarten a welcomed space for all of them and helped the caretakers with the children's activities.

"Uncle Gosha's here!" one of the hybrid children cheered. She was a rabbit-panda hybrid in a black and white coat. A few of her friends followed after her to great him. Since he towers over everyone, he kneeled down to their level and made sure every one of them had disinfectant wipes after touching him.

Better safe than sorry.

"We missed you," another hybrid, a camel-wolf boy whined. "Are you going to read us a story?"

The children chattered excitedly until one of them peered over his tail. "Wow, what's that over there? Is that a ghost?"

From the word 'ghost', all of them huddled together while their teacher, a Thompson gazelle came over. "Oh dear, I'm afraid they are scared about your friend over there. Is she coming in?"

Gosha turned his head to see Balqis standing by the door, unsure of whether she should come in or leave. 'Does she not like hybrids? Stop jumping into conclusions, Gosha! She's probably shy at meeting beasts that don't want to eat her.'

"It's okay, Balqis. The kids are curious about you, that's all," he assured her. Patting an empty spot next to him, he curled his tail as an invitation. Slowly like a spooked herbivore, she took off her shoes and entered the kindergarten, where the children began to sniff and look up with curiosity.

"What animal are you, miss?"

Instead of answering, Balqis' green eyes looked into Gosha's reptilian ones with permission and then to the teacher. Nodding their approvals, she reluctantly removed her disguised to revealed herself.

"Wow! You have a strange smell!" the camel-wolf wagged his tail. "Are you like us too?"

That was when Gosha heard a small giggle emitting out of her. "Maybe. So, what are you all playing?"

"Come on, we'll show you!" They began to tug her hand and lead her to the playroom.

"I'll be back, Gosha," she patted his clawed hand. Something about it made him have a sudden urge to return the gesture but he couldn't due to his venomous nature.

"Don't worry about me," he replied in a surprisingly softer tone as he watched her leave.

While the children were leading her to their little game, Gosha began to feel something at the sight. Something about her soft skinned hand upon his scaley ones awoke something primal and instinctual, yet entirely unknown to him.

Shaking his head, he made a mental note to go and see the doctor about it. Maybe it was time to check if he's getting one of those heart attacks at his elderly age.

And yet, a sense of déjà-vu made him feel as if he had experienced this before.

He had his duty as a pacifist, and this should be no different than any other beasts he had encountered. But first, he wondered about her words about a human's purpose in a world full of beasts.

What held her back that made her visible shield herself?

You know, I have in mind for what is to come for humans in the Beastars world. Gosha's voice is just ASMR worthy to listen to! Of course she will meet Legosi and Yahya too