FSE

Furry search engine

formerly SoFurry search engine

It was rather rough waking up the following morning for Shale. Itook nearly half the day before he could walk steadily, his whole body felt sore. Talluk showed him a few of the neighboring caves to the bedroom, one of which was a small hot spring which did wonders on his sore muscles, the other seemed to be used for food storage. The only part that hurt Shale was, after the short tour, Talluk left.

Without being able to see the sun or moon, it was difficult for the canine to tell time, but his best guess is it had been a few days since he had been offered up as sacrifice. The first day had been rough, for both him and Talluk, but ended rather climatically. He knew that the dragon was about, the food stores seemed to have new things in them, if he fell asleep at the desk he'd wake up on the bed, he had even found some blank parchment and some ink to write the dragon a note which disappeared when he woke up the following morning.

The husky tried to keep himself busy, which he found quite easy to do with the small library kept in the bedroom he was in. He could never fully keep himself distracted though, his mind going back to Talluk, worried of what the dragon was doing. Having tried to stay up to catch Tarruk, he failed, eventually falling asleep at the desk, book still open, a bit of parchment that he was writing notes on.

Waking with a start, the husky groaned as he sat up, finding himself still at the desk. Quickly standing up, he glanced around before heading out into the main tunnel. Remembering how angry the dragon had gotten originally at his moving freely, he had stayed in the three caves he was shown. Now, however, he was on a mission, checking in every cave as he made his way down the tunnel. “Talluk?" He'd call out as he walked. “Please, I just want to talk." Tears started welling up in his eyes, not even looking at what was in the caves he looked in, just noting that the copper and brass scaled dragon wasn't in any of them.

Shale eventually made it to the end of the tunnel, the solid stone wall an imposing sign of the end of his search. Stepping up to the wall he ran his paws over it, the scattering of tiny crystals on the wall lighting up to his touch like stars in the night sky. “Please…" His voice trailed off as he whimpered. “Please open." Leaning against the wall, begging and pleading for it to open, “Please be ok."

His resolve wavering, he stepped back for one last attempt. “What did he do?" Looking at his paws. “Right hand waved and he said something." Giving his best attempt to mimic what he had seen the dragon do days prior, waiting with held breath as he didn't see anything happen. Moving his hand again, “Open." His voice meekly spoke. The canine's heart sank as the wall remained, balling his paws into fists as he let out a frustrated growl. “Fine." Turning around, he started making his way back to his cave. Halfway down the tunnel he stopped, ears perking some. “I can't speak it, but I can write it."

Quickly returning to the wall, tail swaying light as he brushes his paws over the crystals to make them all dark. Spending quite a while to intricately draw the glyphs into the wall, he eventually steps back. Taking a deep breath, he gives a wave of his arm. “Open." Starting at the wall. “Please, Open." He spoke, voice raising. Snarling, he went up to the wall, pushing on it, “Open…Please!" As his voice echoed down the tunnel, and the wall refused to move, he slumped against the wall. “I just want to know that Talluk is ok." Eyes clenched shut, tears rolling down his snout, one last weak punch at the stone wall.

As his paw hit the wall and slowly slid down, a line of crystals lit up under his paw pads. The drawn glyph lit up, as the stone wall suddenly shifted, almost weightless as it swung open. The startled canine yelped as the wall gave way, falling to the floor as the stone swung open.

Quickly picking himself up, brushing the dirt from his fur, he glanced around. Looking at the now open doorway, giving a quick giddy bounce on his feet, tail wagging. “I did it?" Barking in excitement. “I did it!" He shouted. “Talluk?" Glancing around, his excitement fading as he found himself in the large dark cave the tunnel came off of. A cold breeze blowing through the cave piqued his interest. Glancing around as he stepped into the cave, he heard stone on stone, turning around to see the doorway close, perfectly sealing to hide itself. “Talluk is not going to be happy."

Sighing heavily Shale realized he probably was stuck out here now, he looked around the large cave, following the source of that breeze. He didn't remember airflow the last time he'd come out here. The relatively dark cave seemed to brighten as the canine quietly padded his way, the cave floor much rougher out here, being careful of where he stepped. Coming around a corner, an entrance to the cave came into view. Light flooding in from the hole, illuminating the entrance, the breeze getting stronger and colder as the canine padded close. Shivering as his bare fur only helped so much.

Reaching the entrance to the cave, Shale looked out, The large nearly full moon illuminating the night sky, as well as the sight below. The cave seemed to be nestled in the side of a mountain, well above the treeline, he could see the powder covered trees, and in the far distance the glow of civilization. Lingering there, he looked down the rather steep mountainside leading up to the cave, pondering the idea of freedom. Escape was just a step away, but he found himself stepping back. Glancing back into the dark cave, before back out eyes falling on the faint glow in the distance. With a soft growl, he turned, walking back into the cave. Going to the far side, opposite the mouth of the cave, he found a couple stalagmites to nestle behind, using them as windblocks, he quietly awaited any signs from Talluk.

Talluk groaned, the cold air did not help sore muscles as heavy wings were locked, soaring well above the clouds. Copper and bronze scales glimmering as the sun was just starting to peek over the horizon. Spotting a familiar mountain peak, his wings angled to let himself start gliding downward. Feeling the cool dampness of the clouds as he passed through, unlocking his wings, he gave a few flaps to limit his time under the cloudline, flying into the cave rather gracefully, landing with a dull thud. As he landed, the ceiling and floor of the cave gave light groans as they shifted, similar to other parts of the cave, closing like a pair of doors, making the cave pitch black, the light breeze stopping abruptly.

Blinking, Talluk let his eyes adjust to the darkness, those golden orbs the only source of light in the darkness of the cave. Stretching out some, he let out a low groan, before freezing as he heard a faint shifting, followed by a voice.

“Talluk?"

“Shale?" Talluk asked, looking around for the source of that noise, spotting the canine figure shifting nervously in the dark. “How are you out here?"

“I'm sorry Talluk, I know I was supposed to stay." Stepping closer. “I won't push anymore. I was just worried you had done something in anger."

The dragon was lost in thought, wondering how Shale had managed to get out here. 'Did I not close the door? I must have, how else would he be here?' he thought to himself, abruptly brought out of his reverie as two soft paws moved around his neck. Glancing down, a faint smile on his snout as he saw the husky stretching to try to hug him. Lowering down to let those arms gently embrace him, a light shiver ran down his spine as he felt those arms squeeze, barely getting halfway around the dragon's thick neck. “Shale." His voice trailed off, feeling the canine's face press against his body, a faint dampness.

Tears returned to those eyes as Shale did his best to hug the dragon. Tail tucked some, trying to hold back those tears, the dragon saying his name broke his resolve. Gently pressing his snout against the base of that scaled neck, trying to hide those tears, he quietly sobbed. Feeling the dragon's form shifting above him, his arms slowly moving closer, until his paws met. Looking up to see the dragon, now in his anthro form, was smiling down at him. Strong arms enveloping him as he was hugged close.

The two embraced quietly in the dark cave, Talluk pulling that furred form in close. Snout leant down to gently rest on the canine's head between those two ears, the dragon let out a heavy sigh. “I'm sorry for being so distant, Shale. I've been processing, well, everything." Squeezing the canine softly, his own eyes closing. His hands slowly shifted, one wrapping securely around the husky's back, the other down to grip just under his rear, intentionally keeping his hand away from that firm rump. “Though I really need to lie down."

With a startled yip, Shale felt himself lifted off his feet. Arms wrapping tightly around the dragon, legs soon joining in wrapping around the dragon's waist as best they can. Feeling the light bounce of himself shifting in that strong embrace as the dragon made his way through the caves, Shale slowly willed himself to look up. He watched as the dragon's snout shifted from a tired smile to a look of utter confusion, all movement stopping. Turning his head to look, seeing they were in the back of the main cavern, “Sorry, it closed behind me."

“What do you mean it." Stopping mid sentence, Talluk looked down at the husky. “I left the door open and it closed behind you? Have you been stuck out here all day?"

“No, it was closed. And after it opened and I got out, it closed behind me." Shale explained with a sheepish shake of his head. “I'm sorry. Did I mess it up?"

Feeling the husky trembling in his arms, the look of fear on the canines face as they looked at eachother, Talluk quickly shook his head. “No. No you didn't mess it up." Stepping closer to where the doorway appears. “But how did you do it?" Leaning in to press his snout against the canines. “You never said you didn't, but can you use magic?"

“No." Shale said, giving a light chuckle. “I think the wall was tired of listening to me and opened out of pity." His tail untucked some, wagging more as Talluk gave quite a loud laugh.

“Unfortunately, my home isn't smart enough to feel pity." One arm leaving the canine, leaving his weight to shift onto the other shoulder, Talluk emitted a long groan as he willed the door open. As the stone door opened, he quickly started lowering the canine. “Sorry." He groaned out, “I think every muscle just screamed at me. Lot bulkier than you look."

Quickly unwrapping his arms and legs from the dragon, Shale looked up at him with concern as he was set back on his feet. “Are you hurt?"

“Just, sore" Talluk said between sharp breaths.

“Come on." Shale took one of the dragon's hands, slowly guiding him into the tunnel, noting the door close behind them.

“But how did you."

“We can discuss that, once you're off your feet." As they made their way through the tunnel, Shale yipped softly as suddenly his paw was squeezed, the dragon stopping, before he was tugged back towards Talluk. “Why did you stop?" His curiosity only grew as the dragon said nothing, wordlessly pulling him towards the tunnel wall, a hidden entrance opening up for them. As soon as they were in the tunnel, the hidden door closed behind them, a faint glow coming from further in.

As they made their way to the cave proper, Shale felt the dragon let go of his paw as the canine stood in awe of the cave. Large glowing crystals had been shaped into columns from the ceiling to floor of the large cave. Ornate bookshelves held numerous large tomes, some elegantly bound others looking to be old and weathered, multiple large trunks holding mysteries the canine could only imagine, until his eyes reached the far wall. Decorating the far wall was a massive tapestry, depicting the tale of two dragons watching over a massive expanse, near the end there were four anthros meeting the two dragons, large scratches torn through the anthros, and many inches into the wall. A low groan drew the canine's attention away from the history and wealth in the cave, over to where Talluck was in the process of laying down, a massive spread of silk and pillows formed into a nest, well beyond the size of the anthro dragon. Padding over, he smiled gently as he watched the dragon stretch out onto his side.

“When I'm this sore, I need space to stretch out." Talluk explained, watching the canine gingerly move in and keel down beside him. A brow raised as he heard the order.

“Lay on your front."

Watching Shale for a moment, finding himself admiring the brown and black husky for a moment, before he rolled onto his front, arms crossing to place his head on. “So, how did you get…out..?" His question faded as he felt fur on his tail. Glancing back, he watched the canine move over top of him, feeling that soft fur as Shale straddles over top of him, legs gently squeezing his sides before paws gently pressed into his back.

Smiling, Shale listens to the rumbling groans from the dragon below him as his paws slowly work their way up his back, feeling those muscles as he does so. “Forgive me, I'm a little lacking in practice with winged individuals." He heard Talluk start to speak, but firm presses from those paws along the dragon's shoulders turned those words into long groans. “Feels like kneading rocks. These muscles are so tight." Smiling as he worked those muscles, listening to the quivering dragon below him, being much more tender in areas needing it, and rougher where needed.

Talluk trembled as he felt pain and soreness slowly seeming to melt away as those soft paws slowly worked over his back. It was quite a while before he could do more than groan out. “Who are you?" He asked.

“Shale." The canine said, voice a bit solemn. “The latest nobody to be chosen."

Growling, turning a bit to look back at the husky, but stopping as those paws pressed into his back. “You are not nobody." Tail lashing lightly. “You've got the body of a warrior, an academic side. You know medicine, you are doing wonders for my back." Growling again, “And you opened a door that requires magic to open. You are far from nobody." Those paws shifted along his back, moving to the base of his wings.

“Let me know if anything hurts, I've never done wings before." Shale's tone was dry, missing the normal sweetness that accompanied it. Paws slowly start to massage around the base of those wings, slowly starting to work up along the limbs, the silence between the two occasionally broken up by a low groan from the dragon.

Talluk spread his wings some, giving Shale plenty of space to work with. Not wanting to push the canine, he let him work, instead enjoying the massage. Feeling those paws shift some, smiling as he felt a curious press on the membrane of his wing. Shifting his wings some, letting them relax a bit, enjoying the curious rubs and presses.

“Shale Amberloux." The husky sighed, paws moving back to slowly massaging those wings, cautious as he moved along the appendages. “Fifth born of Governor Amberloux, and chief disappointment of the Amberloux name. I joined the militia, did well working my way up the ranks, that was the first and last time I did anything my father approved of." As he got to the tips of those wings, his paws returned to the dragon's back, starting to slowly massage down his back and along his sides. “After the militia, I did my own thing. Learned as much as I could, helped as much as I could. Then, just a few days ago, my name was selected for sacrifice. The lack of care from my father, the lack of care from my family showed me that Shale Amerloux was dead. A way for them to get rid of the disappointment." Paws slowly leaving the dragon's form, the canine moved from overtop of him. “Roll over and I can get the front, or I can get your legs." He gently rubbed at his palms together, tender from the dragon's hard scales.

Talluk shifted some, looking at the canine, noting that he was starting at his own paws. He stretched out some as his form began to change. Hearing a light yelp as the dragon got much larger, he closed his eyes as pains returned in this form.

Shale watched in amazement as the dragon shifted, realizing he'd not seen this before, he could help but watch, transfixed as Talluk's whole body grew. Watching his body expand, muscles tensing as they pull and shift into a more natural position. Yelping out as he seemed to forget the wideness growth, scurrying back as that form soon took up nearly all of the nest.

Bringing his tail around, Talluk gently hooked it behind the canine, pulling him in close, his head curling around as well, his whole form shifting to curl around the canine. “I'd love a neck massage." Feeling that fur against his scales as Shale moved made a deep almost purr like noise fill the cave. That purr became a pleased rumble as he felt those paws starting to work around the base of his neck. Curling his head around some, wanting the canine to feel safe, he gave a gentle nose to the canine's back.

“I'm sorry for panicking you, Shale." The dragon's words were quiet, mixing with the rumbles. “The other night really messed with me and I just needed to think."

“I didn't mean to..mph." Shale was cut off, feeling himself pressed into that scaled form, words lost into that warm body.

“Shh." Talluk smiled a bit, before gently letting up to let the caine move away, enjoying the diligent paws that never stopped slowly working along his long neck. “It wasn't right to just leave you alone like that. I was scared, confused, angry, but mostly just scared. After so long, I felt something. After so long of being alone, of being angry, hateful, depressed, there was this small light. That terrified me." The message shifted some, those arms wrapping around the dragon's neck making the dragon press in some, trying to stifle a wide yawn. “I took time to process. To think. To reflect." Nudging the canine lightly with his snout, the dragon went quiet for a bit enjoying the feeling of the husky hugging and massaging his neck. A heavy yawn flooding hot breath over the canine as he continued gently working that neck.

Listening to the dragon's breathing slow, Shale looked up to see his eyes closed. Smiling, he slowly moved, sitting down back against that warm scaled stomach, watching the dragon falling asleep. Turning his head as he rested, gently pressing his ear to the dragon's body, listening to those heavy breaths, the methodical beat of the dragon's heart. The warmth, the sounds, everything compounds to the canine following suit, falling asleep nestled against the dragon.

Talluk was the first to wake, the feeling of something moving against him rousing him. Slowly opening his eye, searching for the source of that movement, he saw the sleeping husky slowly sliding backwards. Moving his leg forward, letting Shale's head land on his inner thigh, he smiled, eye closing again as he enjoyed the feeling of closeness. Shifting a bit, noting a lack of soreness in his muscles, 'Definitely going to get more massages' he thought to himself.

After a little while, and as the form around him shifted, Shale stirred. Stretching out as he yawned wide, he froze when his arms bumped into something above him. Eyes opening, he was met with the sight of a leg above his head. Turning, he flushed a bit as he realized which legs he was between, before bashfully rolling onto his other side. “M..morning." He stammered, realizing those glowing eyes were watching him.

“You alright?" Talluk asked, smirking lightly. “Look like you've seen something." The lowered ears, and glance away gets a hearty chuckle from the dragon. “Don't know what you're being so cute about. Smooth down there, unlike some who let their's hang out."

Shale sat up quickly, paws gently crossing over his lap. “Don't know about dragons, but us canines have rather sensitive noses. Might be all hidden, but that doesn't mean I can't smell it." He says back, squirming lightly.

“Saying I stink?"

“N..no.." Shale shivered some, yipping as suddenly that broad draconic snout pressed against his chest.

“I'm just teasing you, Shale. Don't worry." Rumbling softly as he felt the canine shiver and squirm lightly. “Did you sleep well?"

“Quite well. Did you sleep alright? You sort of passed out mid thought."

“Did I? I don't even remember falling asleep."

“You were talking that you had been gone for a while because you needed to think." Doing his best to hug that large snout, Shale smiled and rested his nose on top of it, looking the dragon in the eyes. “I am happy to be whatever you need me to be, Talluk. Even if that changes from day to day."

Those golden eyes widened at those words, snout nudging at the canine softly. “Shale.." That deep rumbling voice was soft. Trailing off as he felt a soft squeeze to his snout, and heard the soft giggle.

“Possibly even something to work those claws on again," a soft wink from Shale, “but only if you ask really nicely." That smile softened some, “Unless that solemn Shale was because I've gone too far, that this is the last time we are ever going to talk. Then I will always be grateful to have met you Talluk." Yelping in surprise, he felt the dragon's form move, snout pressing against him as he was pulled in close, that neck curling around him some.

“I'm never letting you go." Talluk's voice wavered. Looking into Shale's eyes for a moment, before closing his own, breathing deeply as he fought back tears. “And I'll dull my claws before I tear you up again."

“You dull your claws, I won't help you figure out how I opened that door." Shale's voice stern, paws slowly moving to stroke over the dragon's snout. “Mistakes happen, Talluk. Your last partner was a dragon, I felt your scales last night. You're used to that hardiness, and instead of causing damage to yourself."

“I hurt you?" That broad head shook, eyes opening to look back at Shale, who leans in to kiss the top of his snout.

“Maybe a little, but then I get an absolute sweetheart doting on me for a little while." Slowly shifting his form, moving along side Talluk's head so their eyes were closer. “I'd much rather take a few rakes, than do anything like dull your claws. You have to hunt, really limiting that if your claws are dulled." Silence followed as they enjoyed their closeness, Shale feeling that head turning in to squeeze him against his neck. Gentle tail wags earning a soft rumble, wandering paws petting gently.

“I have to hunt?" Talluk eventually queried, breaking the quiet.

“I don't have anything to help hunt." Shale mused. “Plus, it'd take me all day to get enough to sate a dragon's hunger, I'm sure." Chuckling to himself. “Wouldn't you rather keep me locked away up here, to massage those sore muscles after you've been out hunting?" A faint growl came from Talluk, the dragon smirking softly. “I felt you quivering under me yesterday. Big strong dragon, brought low by soft paws on his back."

“Careful teasing, Shale." Talluk moved his head away, foreleg moving as a large clawed foot very gently pushed the canine onto his back. Licking his lips as he didn't press down, but kept his foot over the canine, holding him down. “You awoke a beast the other day, and it's taken a lot of willpower to not indulge him."

Yelping out as he was suddenly on his back. Paws moving to gently rub between those spread toes. Maw opened for a moment, before deciding against speaking, he lowered his ears, moving to try and hide behind one of those toes.

Held firm, even though the paws tending to his foot felt wonderful, Talluk smiled. “Luckily for you, pup." He rumbled out a deep chuckle. “I'm more curious to see how you managed your escape attempt."

Shale nodded softly, not stopping his paws working until that foot was pulled away.

Eventually, Talluk would shift back to his anthro form, knowing he could laze all day with Shale. They would spend the rest of the day trying to see how Shale had managed to open the door. Never leaving the canine's side as they tried recreating the previous day's actions, happy to have someone close again.

“I had given up and was going back but then I remembered," Shale spoke through his movements, walking through everything he had done, “I can read draconic." Going back to the door, he did his best to recreate the exact glyph he had made. “So I wrote Open and," He pressed on the wall, “I pushed and nothing happened." Shoulder pressed in, he sighed heavily. “And just like yesterday, I am out of ideas." Feeling hands gently rub over his arms, gently pulling him away, he glanced back at Talluk.

“And did it open after you gave up?" The dragon asked, pulling the canine back till his chest pressed against Shale's back. His right hand slowly moving up along that furred arm, letting his claws gently comb through the fur, before gently intertwining fingers.

“Yea, made me fall when it did." Shale watched that hand move along his arm, happily nestling back into the larger form behind him. Feeling Talluk gently reach out, guiding his paw to the door to brush one more swipe of lights.

“Will have to see quite the extent of your knowledge." Leaning in, nosing the top of Shale's head as he presses with their hands as he finishes adding the line, the wall opening up. “You wrote Entry." He smiled some, stepping forward to move through the opened doorway, feeling that furred form wiggle a bit before relenting and walking with him. “I'm guessing when you pushed, your paw slipped and added this line here." He gestured at the door with their entwined hands, “Which made it open."

“So it was just dumb luck."

“Luck, yes," Leaning down to gently nose the canine's snout. “Not dumb. Rather smart for thinking to try that in the first place." Noticing Shale's ears lowering, he gently pulled him in tightly. Stepping a bit back as the door closed, he rumbled, untangling their fingers. “Hold your paw up towards the door. Focus on it and repeat after me." He did his best to enunciate the draconic. Listening to Shale, “Close." Repeating a couple of times, till the canine was speaking correctly. “Focus on the door, picture it opening and say it."

Taking a deep breath, “It's not going to work." Shale said, letting out a soft 'marf' as he was squeezed in that embrace again. Closing his eyes, he shook his head as he let out a soft sigh. “Dumb luck, that's all it was. I'm not magic." He said, before doing as he was instructed, paw outstretched, speaking “Open". He watched the door, before angrily trying again. “See, not going to work." He trailed off, feeling those hands wrapped around him gently start to pet over his chest, those claws gently combing through his fur.

“One more time. Don't think it's not going to work. Just picture it working. And do it." Talluk smiled, giving Shale a gentle nudge with his snout, continuing to pet him. Listening as watching as the canine closed his eyes and steeled himself, before repeating. A broad smile spread across the dragon's snout as the wall opened up again. “And now, picture it closed and say Close" slowly enunciating that last word. Feeling the husky's body sway slightly as he repeated the word, and moved his arm and the door closed, melding back into the wall. “Perfect." Nosing his cheek again. “Told you you could do it."

“You were just doing it at the same time, weren't you?"

Talluk's brow raised, hands still enjoying the large chest fluff of the husky. “I'm petting you, how could I have done it?"

“I don't know. You've been doing it for how long, you do it without speaking, who says you have to do it without moving your hands." A soft growl from behind quieted the canine.

“Why would I do that?"

“Cause you don't want me to feel dumb." Shale felt those arms slowly unwrap from around him, the dragon moving around in front of him, a hand gently cupping his chin to make him look up at the dragon.

“Because you aren't dumb. You have this idea that you're dumb, you're nobody." Leaning in, pressing his snout against Shale's. “Not just anybody can open that door, or any of the doors here." Stepping back. “But if you want proof that I didn't do anything." Letting out an annoyed growl, the dragon quickly went across the cave, opening the other door. “You're going to need food, using magic for the first time." The dragon said, the door closing behind him.

Shale yelped as he watched Talluk quickly make his way to the other tunnel. “Wait!" He called out desperately, watching the door close. Running up to the wall he whimpered, “Please Talluk. I'm sorry, I can't do this." Letting out a soft sigh, he stepped back, shivering. Desperately, he held out his paw 'open'. The wall didn't budge. 'Open!' Anger in his voice as he tried again. As the wall did not relent, he sighed and closed his eyes. Picturing the door opening, the dragon on the other side waiting for him. 'Open,' He pleaded, waiting, feeling light headed for a moment as he heard the light creaking of the moving stone. Willing his eyes open for a peek, he saw the wall opening, though the dragon wasn't there.

Starting to make his way towards the door, that light-headedness made him stumble a bit as he moved too quickly. Blinking some, he slowed down, slowly making his way into the tunnel, turning to see the door not close behind him. Curious, he held out his paw picturing the door closed, 'Close'. Eyes unfocusing as he stumbled back some, feeling himself land back against that scaled chest, an approving rumble filling his world as those strong arms wrapped around him.

Having heard the door open, he was waiting in the next offshoot, the dragon was ready to praise Shale. He was surprised when he heard those footsteps stop, peeking around the corner to see the husky swaying as he spoke the command word. Moving in close to catch the canine, He leaned down, placing a soft kiss onto Shale's forehead. “Told you you could do it." Hands gently moving down, he slowly scooped the canine up, carrying him in his arms. “Now, let's get you some food."

Shale didn't say anything, blushing faintly as he was scooped up, choosing to wrap his arms around Talluk, wagging tail brushing over the dragon's stomach. A small bit of pride kept a smile on his snout as he leaned up, gently licking the dragon's cheek, his smile growing as he felt a light shiver from Talluk. Remaining relatively quiet when he was brought to the ornate dining room and sat down, head still spinning lightly he watched the dragon leave. The smell of cooking food earning a hungry growl from his own belly, turning to follow his nose, a groan escaped his lips and he instead chose to close his eyes and ride out the dizziness.

Talluk was quick in cooking up some food, returning to find Shale's head resting on the table. Smiling as he set a plate down, noticing that nose wiggle a bit as he sniffed. “Pace yourself, Shale." Talluk said, pulling a chair close so he could sit beside the canine. One arm around him to hold Shale close, “Food will do you some good." He mused, getting a piece of meat and bringing it to the canine's snout, smiling as it was rather gingerly taken from his fingers. “You did more casting than most for your first time." Continuing to gently feel the canine, petting over his shoulder as he mused. “I've known some who'd be worse off than you just from opening the door once. Plus you opened and closed the more stubborn door."

Shale happily ate whatever was offered to him, feeling that dizziness rather quickly abating. Though, with another blush, he eventually brushed Talluk's hand away, “You should eat too." Slowly continuing to eat, he listened as magic was explained to him.

“It's both mental and physical. Most magic, you need to be able to picture it. You need to be able to will it. Taking one of Shale's paws, he gently squeezed it."Magic is constantly flowing through the world. When you wield it, it will push." He pushes on that paw, “pull," pulls on that paw, “it will surprise you." Bringing that paw up, he gently kisses the back of it, smiling at the canine. “You need to have the strength to push or pull back, to be ready for what it might throw at you." Smiling as that paw pulls his hand over, watching Shale place a kiss on the back of his hand. Letting go of that paw, so the canine could continue eating, he continued. “Simple tasks might make you dizzy, hungry. But if you're not prepared, or you do something big, it can be a lot more dangerous." Taking a few bites of his food, he thought of how to best phrase his next statement. “Magic is natural, it flows and moves on its own, and most don't even realize. When you use magic, it's messing with that balance, you're pulling in more, you're moving it, and so it does its best to adjust. If you're lucky, you might just fall unconscious. If not, I've seen it cause memory loss, illness, withering, and even death."

Seeing the concern growing on the canine's face, he smiled, moving up to gently caress Shale's snout. The soft pets seemed to calm the canine some, who nuzzled into that hand. “Opening and closing those two doors will never do anything more than this. Bit of a headache, dizziness. Food and resting are easy fixes." Slowly pulling his hand away, scratching the underside of Shale's chin earning a faint pleased exhale. “Plus the more you practice, the easier it will be."

“Don't think I'm up for more practice today."

“The rest of today is a day to relax and enjoy yourself."

“What about you?"

“Still a bit sore from the last few days, relaxing sounds lovely." The two settled in, quietly eating their food. Talluk occasionally ran his hand over Shale's back, making sure that the husky was doing alright.

Shale, for his part, was already feeling better. His head was still a bit light, but his eyes could focus again and the room wasn't spinning. Curiosity eventually got the better of the husky, as they were finishing up. “Where are you still sore?"

Talluk's brow raised at the question. “Chest and legs mostly. Nothing that just stretching out and lounging won't fix." He could see the canine thinking, giving him a gentle squeeze, Talluk stood up and gathered their plates. Stepping away, he heard the canine following behind. Letting Shale see the small stone structure built into the wall, the lower compartment still having the light glow of embers. “Have to relearn how to cook for not me." He mused, tail flicking behind him as he set the plates down on a small table. Turning and heading back out, he led the canine to one of the many caves with hot springs in it. Wordlessly, the dragon slowly climbed into one of the large pools of water letting out a pleased groan as he sat down.

Shale smiled, following behind Talluk, eyes on that scaled form as it climbed in. Stepping up, he slowly climbed in, feeling a pair of eyes on him, swaying his hips gently as he sank into the warm water. Murring happily as the warmth washed over him, he scooted over some, reaching under the water he found the dragon's legs, earning a surprised grunt. Bringing those legs up, to rest them across his lap. Starting to slowly rub along those legs, earning a pleased groan from Talluk.

“Mmnn," Talluk groaned out, head leaning back as he stretched out. “While it's very appreciated, you don't have to be so attentive."

Shale giggled softly, his tail swaying gently under the water. “I mean, I was never told what you needed me to be." He said, continuing to rub along those legs slowly. “Last I heard, I was the sacrifice sent to appease the Scourge of the Vale." Giving a soft growl when he noticed Talluk was upset by that. “Which I'm fine with right now." His eyes closed as he leaned back some, not letting up on his massage of those legs, slowly shifting down along those legs as his paws moved lower.

Talluk felt a tinge of guilt at Shale's comments, but as long as the canine was enjoying himself he didn't say anything. The wonderful paws working over his legs definitely helped, “Scourge of the Vale?" Musing that title some, he didn't notice the canine shifting a bit further down, just enjoying the warmth and closeness.

“Well, it's a lot more imposing a title that Talluk." Shale teased, one of his paws moving down to start massaging the underside of the dragon's foot, the other paw working over his ankles. “Though guess while I'm here to tend to the dragon I could be more simple and say Sir." His ears perked as there was the faintest of growls heard, those legs shifting some. Smiling as he faintly chuckled, turning his attention to those feet and ankles.

Despite the occasional groan of approval from the continued massage, the dragon's mind was racing. He didn't want Shale to think himself lesser, but being tended to like this was wonderful, and hearing that smooth voice call him 'sir', he hadn't even noticed the faint growl that came from him. Sitting up with a slight start, feeling the canine starting to shift his form up his legs. “I know what I need you to be right now, Shale."

Tilting his head some, the canine smiled softly, paw moving up to gently rub over the dragon's chest some. “What's that Talluk?"

“I need you to be close." The dragon said, stopping for a moment. “That doesn't make sense. Sorry, I.." His stammering was cut off as he watched the husky move in some. Feeling Shale gently shift to lay alongside him, his arm gently wrapped around him, hugging him softly.

“I've got a secret to confess, Talluk." Shale smiled as he gently ran his paw over the dragon's chest. “I'm always happy to be close." Pressing his snout under the dragon's chin enjoying the approving rumble, this close able to both feel and hear it. The two enjoyed the closeness of each other as they relaxed in the spring.