AVAST ye Beast! ((OPEN))

"I demand that you hold!" Jurian shouted at the knight he was chasing through the castle's paintings panting a bit. He was not the athletic one in the family! And he'd also been minding his own business, well okay so maybe he'd been watching a tapestry of Illyius up on the fourth floor when the knight had rudely interrupted. He said his name was Sir Cad-something or other. Out of nowhere the knight had proclaimed, "Verily! I have a quest for you young wizard!"

"Me?" The twelve year old had looked around but there currently hadn't been anyone else nearby or at least within hearing distance of the very loud painting. The knight had nodded and explained that there was a horrid beast down in the dungeons but no one would heed his warning. That someone had to go down and vanquish it.

Blue eyes going wide, he stared at the painting in shock. "B-but, I'm a kid!"

The knight didn't seem to think that mattered into things as he pointed out that during his time boys Jurian's age were already apprenticed and such. Which he supposed he technically was here at school. A grin of excitement lit his face and told Sir whatever to lead the way. Since then he'd led ever downwards towards the dungeons. At one point he'd stopped and gaped when he saw the shadow of something large cast against the wall. Whatever it was made a terrible roaring sound. It sounded like it was coming from the open classroom. There were sounds of scuffling feet that had him lick his lips as darted to the side of the open door to hide. On shaky legs he wasn't was from the effort of keeping up with the excitable knight or if it was from excitement. Peering around the doorway his eyes darted around but didn't see anything. There was a sound behind him that caused him to scream in startled fright as he whipped around to see...not what he was expecting.

When Sir whatever had told Jurian there was a beast down in the dungeon, he had expected anything. The last year and a half had taught him that he should always expect the unexpected. He'd read and heard enough stories to have his head full of all kinds of imaginings. What had never crossed his mind was that the whole thing could have been smoke and mirrors. He had learned the difference between real magic and the art of misdirection.

So when told there was something perhaps a dragon on the loose, the boy just had to see this for himself. Maybe he would be able to snag a souvenir as a memento. The roar's he heard and the shadow upon the wall certainly leant itself towards being a dragonish type creature. But then he'd been startled and turned to see a teacher, the one the older boys ogled as if they were seeing a lady for the first time.

Giving her an inquisitive look he was sorely tempted to poke her. Was she an animagus like they'd learned in Transfiguration? Could she turn herself into a dragon?! That would be so incredible! Maybe she heard him and transformed back? It made sense as the dungeons were rather large and a dragon would need room. In all the stories they liked caves or dungeon like places where they gaurded their hoard.

"Yes'm," he replied politely acknowledging that his name was Jurian. Had Sir whatsit knew the teacher was a dragon or was it a secret? Could she help him? "Ummmm..."

What was he to say to that? A painted knight had sent him down here because apparently the staff already knew there was a dragon lady down here, which is why they had ignored his warnings and he found a gullible kid to send down to the dungeons as a sacrifice if she was feeling peckish.

"Have you seena dragon or dragon-like creature?" He blurted out. "Sir Cadsomethingorother said there was..." Oh he was going to get eaten now wasn't he?

As she smiled, Jurian eyed her teeth wondering if he could spot sharper canine teeth than usual. That would tell him if she was read to transform amd eat him because he disturbed her. Or so he thought. Salamander? Tilting his head on confusion he blinked. What did a salamander have to do with detention? Was that her snack?

Swallowing, he inched further into the room amd squeaked out a, "Sure." Then a bit more confident as his natural curiosity and eagerness rose. "Does it do anything? It seems most magic creatures do something."

He paused when there was the sound he heard roar from before but even louder causing him to jump. He whipped around to see the professor lady was still there but that hadn't been where the sound came from. Then he saw the shadows and light and his eyes grew bigger. But-but she said there wasn't a dragon like creature down here! Pointing he said dumbfounded and a bit hurt as if she'd lied to him. "The dragon!"

"Does it do anything? It seems most magic creatures do something."

"Well, its very adapt at making popcorn" Azalea responded seriously, moving with the child towards the storage area where the beast rested. When Jurian did not look compelled convinced, she motioned him to go forwards and see for himself. The Ravenclaw appeared up to the task, that was until he heard the next roar. "Don't worry, its in a cage, it can't harm anyone."

The kid still didn't seem entirely convinced, thinking there was a dragon down there. perhaps Azalea needed to have a word with the CoMC Professor about how he was instructing his class with regards to common dragon dwellings? If Jurian truly believed a real dragon could be found here...

"Nope, salamander," she corrected gently, moving to his side and then going into the store area as an indication that he should follow her in. Should the boy do so, he would see a cage on a large worktable, the container about five feet highs and three feet across, quite roomy enough to accommodate its sole occupant.

"Salamanders have to stay in fire," she explained, mooning to the flame that flickered merrily around the sleeping creature. If Jurian looked closely enough, he would also see a Tupperware of microwaveable plastic resting underneath the open fire, the sound of popcorn popping almost hidden completely by the creature's snores.

"Today, I was planning on having this salamander help us with a few healing potions. Would you like to help as well?"

"Really?" Jurian tilted his head unsure if she was joking or if there actually was a salamander that knew how to make popcorn. Why not? The elves here were completely different from what he thought elves were supposed to look like! So why not a popcorn popping salamander?

Swallowing thickly, he glanced at his professor. It was a bit doubtful when she said that all that noise was coming from a salamander. Unless...did they call dragons salamanders? Or did it depend on the size of the dragon or lizard? Keeping her between him and whatever it was, he followed her further into the room and to the storeroom. Peering around her cautiously his eyes widened and he immediately forgot about his fear from earlier as he bounded eagerly towards the creature. "Wow."

He'd heard that reptiles were coldblooded and it depended on their temperature to if they were either hibernating or lethargic because of the heat or lack of it.He'd never seen any that had to stay in a fire though. It made him think that maybe it was part dragon. Didn't the stories say that the dragons breathed fire on their eggs and stuff? Catching site of something he tilted his head and squinted his eyes to see better.

"How does a salamander help with healing potions? And what is that?" He pointed at the thing he could see but wasn't sure if he was actually seeing what he thought he was seeing. Almost bouncing he turned to his professor. "Does that mean that it really is part dragon?"

"Yes, please!" He was all smiles and enthusiasm as if he was a puppy when he was offered to help. Who in their right mind would turn down an invitation such as this? Waiting eagerly Jurian hung on her every word as he listened with rapt attention. His blue eyes watched everything and his mouth dropped open upon seeing the salamander once the professor lessened the flames.

Stepping away when told he nevertheless watched Intently and listened. Eyes widening a little at being told about the blood he wondered how that worked. Was it like a blood transfusion? Curious he voiced his thoughts. "So, we get it's protection sort of? Like how it's immune to fire?" It made sense in his mind. There had to be something that renewed his cells or skin or gave a protective barrier. Like aloe maybe? Did this mean that they would be doing healing potions or was this for the school's nurse to stock? Or did the professor have her own supply?

Grinning, Jurian grabbed the container carefully pulling it out in order not to burn himself on the container. He hadn't thought that maybe it had been spelled to heat up the popcorn but not burn flesh upon contact with it. His mind just went with the obvious that he'd been raised by despite his love and learning of magical things. If something just came from a fire, it was bound to be hot instead of cold like Frodo's Ring. So, he'd pulled the cuffs of his shirt down over his hands as he removed it and brought it to where the woman was. Putting it down he curiously wondered, "Is this a wizard's version of a popcorn maker?"