You got the wrong person

"Perhaps. Though it isn't so simple for long-lived beings to accept change, especially at the same pace as other communities, or to the changes in human society. It's possible they may let go of their bitterness someday. In the meantime, we must stay vigilant."

Errol stretched his wings as they made it out of the forest. It was reassuring they had been allowed to leave peacefully.

"I don't think anyone who treasures their life would willingly date a fairy. Strange things happen in their vicinity, unfortunately very unpleasant ones at times. Aesthetics are irrelevant."

Errol snorted as he prepared to take off again. "I think he will be enraged. But he may like to know we didn't fall for their tricks."

"Well, at least there is hope. That's the best thing to have sometimes." Since it meant maybe one day things would be better, and that group wouldn't have to be something anyone would have to worry about and what they were doing.

"If they're nice, like in a genuine way, maybe." He couldn't really say much on the subject as he still wasn't that well versed in what a fairy was, so maybe it was just a bad idea no matter what to date one. "And sometimes that's enough, and you can ignore the fact misfortune seems to follow them as you know they aren't doing it on purpose."

Strasky took a look around as Errol took off, just to make note of the area. "If you say so, you know this person way better then I do."

"There is always hope with the coming of a new generation." He hoped that was the case for fairies as well. From what little he knew of their society, they really enjoyed their traditions and it took a lot to get them to try something new.

"They do say that love is blind." Though he might have simply been too young to understands why anyone would take such risks just for a companion.

"I don't know him that well. But do keep in mind he was raised by the fae, he may seem kind of stuck up at first."

"That isn't as much of an issue as getting them to actually listen."

Sure, he couldn't blame some fairies for holding a grudge against humans. There was just no need to go out of their way to kidnap anyone who was simply trying to have a little fun in nature for once.

Errol slowed down once he felt they had put a big enough distance between them and the fairies.

"I believe the fae are widely considered to be conventionally attractive. There's one living in the city, a former member of the group we encountered. He might be more interested in an update on their activities." the dragon paused as he stopped to rub his side against a tree, "He might even have food."

"That seems to be how it usually goes. No one is ever willing to listen because they don't want to accept they might be wrong. I feel that's a very terrible way to think, to learn from mistakes and accept constructive criticism is actually a lot better for you then to be close minded." He felt that information was true as being open minded seemed to be a lot better in his opinion as it opened far more possibilities to learn new things.

"Well, that may work for some people, but not me. You can look like a tar monster, but if you have a good heart, that's all I need. You should never date someone just because they look attractive, you should date them if they have a personality that meshes well with yours." He never really got why people would date someone just because they looked good, he felt it was better to date someone you got along with and could be yourself around.

"Maybe that's why I never found someone... Oh, well, I'm fine with that." He'd rather wait for the right someone then just go with anyone who would agree to a date.

"Perhaps, I'm sure he wouldn't mind knowing how they're doing."

"Perhaps. Though it isn't so simple for long-lived beings to accept change, especially at the same pace as other communities, or to the changes in human society. It's possible they may let go of their bitterness someday. In the meantime, we must stay vigilant."

Errol stretched his wings as they made it out of the forest. It was reassuring they had been allowed to leave peacefully.

"I don't think anyone who treasures their life would willingly date a fairy. Strange things happen in their vicinity, unfortunately very unpleasant ones at times. Aesthetics are irrelevant."

Errol snorted as he prepared to take off again. "I think he will be enraged. But he may like to know we didn't fall for their tricks."

"We can discuss this later." It really wasn't time for chitchat when the fairies were clearly aiming to push him back into the ring.

Errol didn't enjoy the loud shrieking happening that close to his head, but held his ground, letting out a huff before leaping over the group and running off.

"The fae population is vast and divided in different communities. Some are friendlier than others." the dragon mused, "This particular group is still set in its old ways. As long as you learn their uses, you'll be able to befriend others."

"Well, I guess someone should tell them they shouldn't be doing stuff like that anymore. Or maybe they just enjoy doing it too much to let it go." He couldn't speak as to why they felt the need to do something that was considered old fashioned, but he felt someone should at least try to convince them to stop before someone got hurt.

"I wouldn't know what they're like, theses are the first ones I've ever seen. But I can say they're a lot nicer to look at then anything the WAU ever came up with. That was the closest we ever got to real life fantasy stuff." And it hadn't even been the good type of fantasy stuff, they got to skip the nice stuff and go straight to the horror thanks to the WAU.

"Is there someone we should let know about this right away or just wait until Rook gets back from work?" Strasky wasn't sure just how important it was to deal with the fairies, he felt they couldn't be that much of a threat as he didn't notice any people close enough to be lured in by them.

"That isn't as much of an issue as getting them to actually listen."

Sure, he couldn't blame some fairies for holding a grudge against humans. There was just no need to go out of their way to kidnap anyone who was simply trying to have a little fun in nature for once.

Errol slowed down once he felt they had put a big enough distance between them and the fairies.

"I believe the fae are widely considered to be conventionally attractive. There's one living in the city, a former member of the group we encountered. He might be more interested in an update on their activities." the dragon paused as he stopped to rub his side against a tree, "He might even have food."

"You're immune to their charming tricks, it must be driving them insane."

The comment and the fact Errol had nullified their invisibility spell obviously didn't please the fairies either. They got out of their hiding spots and started closing in.

"Fairies are known for luring people to their magical rings where their power reaches its peak. They say the victim is forced to dance themselves to death...though their influence isn't limited to a single command."

He growled softly, ready to fight if necessary. "I only know of one who is remotely bearable and he isn't in this group. I suggest we take our leave now."

He looked at the fairies as they got closer, trying to think of something that would maybe make them retreat enough that they wouldn't get hurt if Errol did take off. Sure he knew they weren't good, but that wasn't going to stop him from caring if they were injured as that would probably just make them far more upset.

"Interesting stuff... I can't really recalled how my world portrayed them at the moment." But at least he didn't have to forget anything he thought he already knew about fairies as it was all new to him.

"Yeah, probably a good idea to leave..." He agreed before he let the gel turn his eyes glowing blue and let out a distorted inhuman shriek. He hoped the sound would make them pause as they tried to figure out what he was and how deal with him, something he doubted they would figure out as he would be the first WAU monster they'd encounter.

"We can discuss this later." It really wasn't time for chitchat when the fairies were clearly aiming to push him back into the ring.

Errol didn't enjoy the loud shrieking happening that close to his head, but held his ground, letting out a huff before leaping over the group and running off.

"The fae population is vast and divided in different communities. Some are friendlier than others." the dragon mused, "This particular group is still set in its old ways. As long as you learn their uses, you'll be able to befriend others."

Willow got a look of disbelief so incredulous that Greaseburger, the main hit man actually held his fire a second in surprise. Then he regained his composure, scowled through the panicking masses, jerked his chin in the direction that Jonas had vanished and muttered quickly to the other two, " Don't let the little twerp get out of this building. Put a bullet in his leg if you have to just remember I get to put the bullet in his brain, ok? " His henchmen nodded and took off in two opposite directions and Greaseburger turned his attention back to Willow.

" Get the fuck out of my way, " he sneered, raised his gun point-blank in the direction of her head and fired two more rounds.

Willow returned the look with a content smile. She liked it when bullies got to find out the hard way why crossing her was such a bad idea.

Though she could have done without the group splitting. Two more shots were deflected and followed by two shuriken getting tossed in one swift move at the other two. No one was going to get out of her sight if she could help it.

Time to make her move. Willow smiled more widely as she lowered her weapon. "That's no way to talk to a lady, you know." A lady with fangs, just in case she hadn't made enough of an impression yet. "It's my turn now~"

Unfortunately, the rest of her implants didn't make her a better runner. She had to time her attack perfectly. Willow dashed forward, eyes set on the gun. The blade of her katana crackled with energy as she took a swing at the weapon.

That was indeed a good finding. Errol stared at the flower ring on the ground before backpedaling away from it. That was a close call. He should have been more careful.

"Neither should do that." he growled, "Don't worry about me, the music is just annoying. It has the power to charm any human. I'm glad to see it isn't affecting you. But that confirms who's behind this."

The trees shook as Errol let out a mighty roar. Dragons had some magic of their own and his revealed several lanky figures spying on them from behind bushes and through the branches.

He glared at them as he stood his ground. "Those, my friend, are fairies."

"That's probably because of the whole reanimated corpse thing and not using an organic brain. It's just music to me." He could only guess it was due to the fact he wasn't using a real human brain to operate and instead was running off a digital copy of one, something that probably wasn't very common to run into.

The roar however he wasn't entirely appreciative of as he really hadn't expected it, and therefore was unable to cover his ears in time to muffle it.

He removed his hands once he was certain Errol wouldn't do it a second time and glanced at the people the dragon had identified as fairies. "Oh... Uh, did we do something to upset them?" He just guessed they'd unintentionally trespassed on their land and they didn't appreciate it.

"You're immune to their charming tricks, it must be driving them insane."

The comment and the fact Errol had nullified their invisibility spell obviously didn't please the fairies either. They got out of their hiding spots and started closing in.

"Fairies are known for luring people to their magical rings where their power reaches its peak. They say the victim is forced to dance themselves to death...though their influence isn't limited to a single command."

He growled softly, ready to fight if necessary. "I only know of one who is remotely bearable and he isn't in this group. I suggest we take our leave now."

"Some creatures don't like to put in any effort when they're hunting."

A consideration that on its own unfortunately didn't narrow down the list by much. Errol walked slowly, only letting out a distressed noise when music started echoing around them. "Well, I'm starting to get a good idea of what we're up against."

So it was good that he decided to stop right then. Errol shook his head as the music still irritated him and had made him miss entirely the flowers growing in a ring just ahead.

"I wouldn't know, but I guess I'll just have to learn about it so I know in the future." He only knew about how some animals hunted as well as humans, he wasn't familiar with how mythical things preferred to hunt yet and really didn't have any kind of idea from his world's mythical beast stories.

Strasky looked around when he heard the music, still not having any clue as to what it was Errol was talking about. "I got nothing." He said as he shook his head, he guessed he should've paid more attention to his world's fantasy stories, then he might've had some idea as to what was going on.

He looked ahead of where they were going and took note of the circle of flowers. "I thought it was only mushrooms that grew in circles." He said as he tilted his head a bit, now seeing that was something he would consider odd as he felt it was highly unlikely that flowers would do that naturally.

"If you know what's going on we can head back, no need to get a headache from the music." He was far more worried about Errol's comfort then his own as he could easily block out the pain if he needed to.

That was indeed a good finding. Errol stared at the flower ring on the ground before backpedaling away from it. That was a close call. He should have been more careful.

"Neither should do that." he growled, "Don't worry about me, the music is just annoying. It has the power to charm any human. I'm glad to see it isn't affecting you. But that confirms who's behind this."

The trees shook as Errol let out a mighty roar. Dragons had some magic of their own and his revealed several lanky figures spying on them from behind bushes and through the branches.

He glared at them as he stood his ground. "Those, my friend, are fairies."

Unfortunately, many threats had the ability to make themselves invisible. Errol still hoped he was wrong and it was just campers, but he had to be careful especially as he felt responsible for Strasky, who still knew little about this stuff.

Once Strasky climbed on, Errol carefully approached the trees, sniffing at the air and listening for a while. "We haven't been jumped yet. Watch out for anything unusual."

With that, Errol ventured inside the forest.

"Jumped?" That was something he regularly heard so it took him a moment to understand exactly what Errol had meant. "Oh, well... Maybe they don't like to ambush people. Seems like an odd thing to do if you're trying to lure them with the smell of food. They're more likely trying to make you feel invited and get you after you let your guard down." That was just his take on the situation that was happening so far.

Strasky did his best to be on constant watch, which wasn't too difficult as he was used to it from his time on PATHOS-II and the constant worry of the WAU doing something unexpected.

"The smell is probably where they are, should be easy to stay out of their sight and see what's going on." If it was just campers, he'd rather they not frighten them by showing themselves as he had a feeling normal people weren't used to seeing a dragon.

"Some creatures don't like to put in any effort when they're hunting."

A consideration that on its own unfortunately didn't narrow down the list by much. Errol walked slowly, only letting out a distressed noise when music started echoing around them. "Well, I'm starting to get a good idea of what we're up against."

So it was good that he decided to stop right then. Errol shook his head as the music still irritated him and had made him miss entirely the flowers growing in a ring just ahead.

Unfortunately, dragons didn't come with a built-in magical radar that identified any creatures in their proximity. All Errol could count on were the ability to spot something strange lurking nearby and his experience, which didn't amount to much when it came to a dragon his age.

Errol stopped growling and raised his head. "Perhaps. Though my instinct says otherwise."

He dropped to the ground so it'd be easier to climb up on his back. "Let's be careful regardless."

He took another look around the see if he could spot anything he would identify as worrisome, but once more found nothing of the sort. He was just trying to better understand what was happening, but it seemed only someone with far better hearing could accomplish that.

He looked up to the dragon as he spoke, he guessed it would be unlikely it was just a bunch of normal people camping as this world was nothing like his own had been.

Strasky nodded before he carefully got onto Errol's back. "Hopefully it's nothing too serious."

Unfortunately, many threats had the ability to make themselves invisible. Errol still hoped he was wrong and it was just campers, but he had to be careful especially as he felt responsible for Strasky, who still knew little about this stuff.

Once Strasky climbed on, Errol carefully approached the trees, sniffing at the air and listening for a while. "We haven't been jumped yet. Watch out for anything unusual."

With that, Errol ventured inside the forest.

Errol let out another warning growl as he closed the distance and stood protectively between Strasky and the treeline before them. He didn't much care for how either of them looked at the moment with the very reaI perspective of danger. His instinct was rarely wrong about this sort of thing.

"Wild animals usually don't come naturally roasted." As he was conveniently smelling in the air now. Someone was wanted their attention.

"We should investigate this. Rook should know if someone is trying to kidnap people in the woods." He looked down, "But I won't force you to chase more monsters."

Strasky watched Errol then glanced at the trees, he really wish he had some idea as to what was going on. But thanks to his world lacking any type of magic, his only guess was animals as he didn't know what else could possibly be a threat in the forest.

"Well, no... But it could just be people camping out." That was his best guess as some people would go camping as soon as the weather was perfect to do so.

"If you say so. But don't worry about me, the monsters I was dealing with were people I used to know, that's why it was upsetting. These ones I won't know, so it won't be as bad." He also just really wanted to know what was going on just so he would know in the future.

Unfortunately, dragons didn't come with a built-in magical radar that identified any creatures in their proximity. All Errol could count on were the ability to spot something strange lurking nearby and his experience, which didn't amount to much when it came to a dragon his age.

Errol stopped growling and raised his head. "Perhaps. Though my instinct says otherwise."

He dropped to the ground so it'd be easier to climb up on his back. "Let's be careful regardless."

Indeed, that sort of trick shouldn't have worked. However, younger dragons could be allowed to lower their guard during playtime.

The game so far had been entertaining and he was ready to end it with a nice leap. But instead he dug his claws in the ground as he abruptly stopped, turning to stare off in the distance.

He growled before looking back. "I heard something."

Strasky stopped when Errol did, sure he knew the dragon could be tricking him to catch him easier, but he felt Errol wouldn't use the possibility of a threat as a way to win something as it was rather mean.

He looked around, trying to see if he could spot what Errol had claimed he heard. He knew he probably looked like a frightened animal as he'd had coworkers compare his reaction to sounds to that of a startled animal. Just due to the fact he'd suddenly have his head on a swivel with his eyes darting wildly around.

"Could it just be an animal?" He asked as he spotted nothing he felt would be a threat.

Errol let out another warning growl as he closed the distance and stood protectively between Strasky and the treeline before them. He didn't much care for how either of them looked at the moment with the very reaI perspective of danger. His instinct was rarely wrong about this sort of thing.

"Wild animals usually don't come naturally roasted." As he was conveniently smelling in the air now. Someone was wanted their attention.

"We should investigate this. Rook should know if someone is trying to kidnap people in the woods." He looked down, "But I won't force you to chase more monsters."

"We'll see about that!"

Errol chuckled, but quickly sprung into action again when Strasky moved. He growled softly when that turned out to be a feint and clumsily staggered the other way.

Dragons weren't as gracious on land as they were while flying. Errol slowed down a moment before hurrying after Strasky again.

He had played around with enough animals to know they usually fell for the fake out, he just hadn't expected it to work on a dragon. But maybe one day it would be useful knowledge, even if he doubted he'd ever have to use it in an important or critical. And if he did, he knew there was no way he'd live long enough to use it.

He knew he wouldn't be able to use it a second time, so he'd have to come up with something else as there was no way Errol would let himself be fooled by the same tactic twice.

Hopefully he'd be able to come up with something before the dragon caught up to him, if not then he would just have to accept defeat which was fine too.

Indeed, that sort of trick shouldn't have worked. However, younger dragons could be allowed to lower their guard during playtime.

The game so far had been entertaining and he was ready to end it with a nice leap. But instead he dug his claws in the ground as he abruptly stopped, turning to stare off in the distance.

He growled before looking back. "I heard something."

It should have been easy enough to keep track of Errol without looking. The ground shaking and the happy noises of an overgrown puppy were good indicators of his current position.

"I will catch you!"

And he was having the time of his life. The dragon rushed ahead to get in Strasky's way as he felt like testing the man's reflexes apparently.

He'd been in enough fields as a kid to remember that grass worked really well at hiding holes someone could easily get their foot caught in, but knowing that fact still hadn't stopped him from constantly falling victim to the same one most of his childhood.

"Maybe, maybe not!" He responded before he stopped to avoid crashing into Errol, he had a suspicion that running face first into a dragon wouldn't feel very nice.

He paused to stare at him before pretending he was about to bolt in one direction only to quickly run off the opposite way.

"We'll see about that!"

Errol chuckled, but quickly sprung into action again when Strasky moved. He growled softly when that turned out to be a feint and clumsily staggered the other way.

Dragons weren't as gracious on land as they were while flying. Errol slowed down a moment before hurrying after Strasky again.

"Well, there's one England for now." He supposed that made things easier at least. In any case, getting basic geography wrong usually only made you look silly and not really cause you any trouble.

"It is. But unfortunately, the young and otherwise small often get treated in a patronizing manner. It's the same with children, isn't it?"

Just because he wanted to play, it didn't mean he had the mind of a hatchling. Errol let out a happy noise as he too got into position, wiggling his draconic butt before trotting after Strasky as he ran off. This should be fun, even though he wouldn't be able to simply pounce to win.

Strasky glanced back at the dragon, just to confirm he was indeed was following him and having fun at least. But he mainly made sure to keep an eye on where he was going so as to not trip himself.

Being outside to run was a lot easier then in the halls of Theta as at least it eliminated the chance of rounding a corner directly into someone who would be understandably upset about being run into.

But at least with him they expected it, and would only question why he felt the need to basically run in the halls. He was sure they'd actually be rather concerned when he'd stopped, but like him they had end of the world matters that were far more important then investigating their coworkers sudden lack of rambunctiousness.

It should have been easy enough to keep track of Errol without looking. The ground shaking and the happy noises of an overgrown puppy were good indicators of his current position.

"I will catch you!"

And he was having the time of his life. The dragon rushed ahead to get in Strasky's way as he felt like testing the man's reflexes apparently.

"Yes, that's the place. The land of infuriatingly tall people, as she put it." He chuckled, "I don't worry about this sort of human matter but I can tell you none of those other places you mentioned exist."

At least he was more of an expert in ways to entertain himself and the rest of Rook's pets. Errol nodded, not surprised Strasky couldn't play fetch with him. "I appreciate the regard and I won't take offense. As a general rule, neither I or Thea mind, we're only openly hostile to baby talk, it's incomprehensible."

Errol stood up then, walking off before turning back, "Let's revert to the basics. You run, I chase you."

"Sounds about right, I'm not surprised as some of those where still recent developments back home." Now he knew he'd have to think of a lie to use if someone asked where he was from which shouldn't be too hard.

"I'm not going to baby talk something with intelligence far above that of a common animal, it's very degrading." He felt that was only okay to do to a being that had no idea what was being said to it, not something that could understand what someone was saying to it.

Strasky nodded before he stood up. "Guess it's a good excuse to see if I can still run as well as I used to." He chuckled before he got into a starting position and bolted as fast as he could.

"Well, there's one England for now." He supposed that made things easier at least. In any case, getting basic geography wrong usually only made you look silly and not really cause you any trouble.

"It is. But unfortunately, the young and otherwise small often get treated in a patronizing manner. It's the same with children, isn't it?"

Just because he wanted to play, it didn't mean he had the mind of a hatchling. Errol let out a happy noise as he too got into position, wiggling his draconic butt before trotting after Strasky as he ran off. This should be fun, even though he wouldn't be able to simply pounce to win.

"It's a place Rook has visited. Biking is popular there." And it was likely he got the name of the country wrong. He was usually happy to listen but unlike Rook, he had trouble staying awake in the middle of the night.

Errol sat up, not at all offended but amused that was Strasky's first suggestion.

"I doubt you would be able toss something large enough for me to catch. But I will go fetch you a fallen trunk if you'd like to give it a shot."

"I'm from North-England, which was once called Northumbria in the seventh century. England in my world was divided in two. England and North-England." He explained then shrugged, he was sure the different territories here where vastly different from what he grew up with. "We also had just one Korea as the two parts reunited, then there's Equo-America, and the Sino-Indian Federation which is a federal state comprising China and India... Which I bet don't exist currently." He felt that was a safe guess, but at least he knew about the world before those differences had come about as they had learned about them in school as it was a part of history. "But I'm going to guess you meant the Netherlands."

"Yeah, I can't throw something like that. I just didn't want to make you feel like it was insulting you're intelligence by comparing you to a dog." That wasn't his intention at all, he just wasn't aware of how someone would go about playing with a dragon.

Strasky knew the play fighting would probably be out of the question as he could very easily be crushed by accident.

"Yes, that's the place. The land of infuriatingly tall people, as she put it." He chuckled, "I don't worry about this sort of human matter but I can tell you none of those other places you mentioned exist."

At least he was more of an expert in ways to entertain himself and the rest of Rook's pets. Errol nodded, not surprised Strasky couldn't play fetch with him. "I appreciate the regard and I won't take offense. As a general rule, neither I or Thea mind, we're only openly hostile to baby talk, it's incomprehensible."

Errol stood up then, walking off before turning back, "Let's revert to the basics. You run, I chase you."

"I won't let anyone like Ross near you or Rook." Or at least he would try to. Errol had already learned the hard way that it wasn't wise to set too high expectations for himself that he simply couldn't achieve. He would do his best, which at the moment meant trying to help Strasky have a nice day and get used to being outside again.

"Sounds like your world was like those Lands of Nether Rook has told me about. It must have been nice to have clean air and water, I hope we can achieve that too soon."

For the time being, he'd have to make do with grass and a few flowers. Errol scooted closer to keep on bothering Strasky until he got a reaction. He was acting very much like a playful dog in that regard. Though he had the ability to talk to make it easier for both and stated his intentions. "Let's play."

"That's very nice of you." He felt keeping Ross away wouldn't be an issue as he was sure the man would just be left by himself in the abyss so he wouldn't be able to be a pain anymore then he already was. And even if he was removed from where ever he was, he would probably be contained so he couldn't cause any more damage.

"I don't know what that is, but yeah, we did our best to make the world better. Even if in the end a comet was what ended the planet, at least it wasn't something caused by humans." At least he could be grateful that what had ended his world wasn't caused by humans and was just something they had no control over.

"How? I feel like you're probably above fetch." He didn't want to insult the dragon by throwing something and expecting him to bring it back as he doubted Errol would find it fun like a dog or other animal might.

"It's a place Rook has visited. Biking is popular there." And it was likely he got the name of the country wrong. He was usually happy to listen but unlike Rook, he had trouble staying awake in the middle of the night.

Errol sat up, not at all offended but amused that was Strasky's first suggestion.

"I doubt you would be able toss something large enough for me to catch. But I will go fetch you a fallen trunk if you'd like to give it a shot."