The Dragon Master’s rebuke caused Motto to distance himself from Mayleen with a clumsy movement accompanied by a startled grunt.  Already he made another mistake!!!  It was possible they would not take him if he did it again!  He would have bowed several times while making his apologies had it not been for Mayleen’s enthusiastic tug.  A boyish sound was his graceful response to the intimidating frost maker before the door slammed shut.  His mind still stinging from the correction, Motto was hardly aware of his movements; snapping out of his daze only after Mayleen began to talk at the wagon side.  Stay cold to stay awake.  Good idea.  He looked down the items Mayleen had shared with him uneasily and placed them in her wagon when he thought she might not notice.  He then grabbed a handsome fur from his own belongings.  It was strange to see all of those possessions and Motto scanned them with discomfort.<span style="color: #008000"><span style="font-style: italic"> ‘It’s not for me.  It’s for my Dragon.’</span></span>He reminded himself, and returned to the inn with a brighter outlook.  All he needed to do was to think of his Dragon and every challenge would melt away.<br/><br/>Once inside the frigid room again, Motto looked on as Mayleen busied herself with a structure of some kind and turned to the Dragon Master when he mentioned the candy.  His eyes following the Master’s hands, Motto forgot his trepidation.<span style="color: #008000"><span style="font-weight: bold">“Waa those are …so grand!!!”</span></span>The hunter gawked at the ice figurines and made several pleased sounds.<span style="color: #008000"><span style="font-weight: bold"> “Hnnnnn that is so talented!  OH.  ONE EVEN HAS A HAPPY LOOK ABOUT HIM!  Hooohhhhh~”</span></span>The Loress’s voice made him stop and swivel to face her; her loveliness was even moreso with the expression she wore.<br/><br/><span style="font-style: italic"><span style="font-family: times new roman;"><span style="color: #9C9C9C"><span style="font-size: 115%; line-height: 116%;">“I am surprised and disappointed in my students."</span></span></span></span><br/><br/><a class="postlink" href="https://i.imgur.com/fV3ehn3.jpg">[ img ]</a><br/><br/>Motto’s heart sank.  She was disappointed in him.  It was easily the saddest he’d ever felt in his entire life in that brief moment, only to be followed by sheer amazement when she made a fire happen with a movement of her hand.  The hunter’s jaw dropped.  She was so wonderful!!!  His previously broken heart now hammered in his chest as she bid them goodnight.<span style="color: #008000"><span style="font-weight: bold">“Good .. night..”</span></span>He muttered after she had gone.<br/><br/>The fire’s warmth was not only her doing, but pleasant in it’s own right, and so Motto stood near it and enjoyed it with a hum of pleasure.  A small movement out of the corner of his eye turned out to be the bird he’d seen earlier.  Razor was it?  The creature was walking about on the floor and sure enough it’s master was closeby.  Motto decided it was time for him to befriend the red-haired girl and squat down next to her.<br/><br/><span style="font-weight: bold"><span style="color: #008000">“My name is Motto.”</span></span>A grin.<span style="color: #008000"><span style="font-weight: bold">“Looks like we’re students.  Together.”</span></span>He glanced around the room before returning his attention back to the dark skinned girl.<span style="color: #008000"><span style="font-weight: bold">“You’re not..”</span></span>yawn,<span style="color: #008000"><span style="font-weight: bold">“..tired?”  </span></span>