Oakmoss could not stop giggling at Celestia’s predicament.
For one thing, getting in a few giggles felt very good after finding out that the only fish that Celestia had stocked for the trip was mackerel. Now, Mackerel was not a bad fish. In fact, Oakmoss was rather fond of it. However, one misconception that meat-eaters sometimes have about fish is the idea that all fish has the same taste. It just was not true. For instance, a good swordfish tasted a little bit like beef, especially if one added some coriander. Tilapia tasted like whatever sauce it was cooked in, but the texture of the meat added a nice crunchiness. Salmon tasted like only salmon could truly taste. Anchovy was virtually a spice. Herring could be pickled and stored almost indefinitely. The mackerel, though, had been on sale. An entire hold...full of mackerel, and it was mackerel that would be on the table. For days.
Of course, this had nothing to do with why Oakmoss had insisted upon dragons and humans dining at the same table. When the other three dragons had assumed their accustomed positions at heel on the floor next to where their riders would eat, Oakmoss had truly been alarmed about the possibility of this turning into a diplomatic incident. Therefore, dragons and humans were seated together, for the first time.
However, Celestia’s transformation, to make herself resemble a kilin, had not diminished her attractiveness in the least. Her scales had come out to be an irridescent pale pink, and her features lended unusually toward the feline aspects of draconic lineage, giving her an adorably expressive muzzle. As a matter of fact, her expression showed exactly what she thought about being attractive to two of the horniest draconic hens that Oakmoss had ever known.
“She is so cute!” Hilda cried.
“Aww, look at her blush!” Astrid rejoindered.
“We must take her home with us, Astrid! Can we? Awwww! Look at her trying to hide her face in her little pawsies!”
Celestia was not one of those sorts of girls that could be sexually fluid. Celestia was straight like Oakmoss was gay. The idea of these dirty hens ogling her was causing her to want to hide under a rock. Sweet justice for her not even investing in some cheap pickled herring for an appetizer. After much more transitions in dinner conversation, which included Celestia attempting to flirt with Oliver for a while as Oliver responded with his usual deadpan humor (which had been growing on Oakmoss), Luka finally rang the triangle that signaled the start of the meal.
Luka had come out to be an uncommonly handsome wine-red and jet-black brindled hen, and she looked stunning in her tunic. If she had looked athletic before, she now looked like a true warrior queen. However, the start of dinner tended to be an occasion for Luka, who was ordinarily indifferent about her gender, to transform into a creature as hilariously feminine as Loituma Girl.
“Your attention, please,” she said as the triangle’s resonating tone had begun to fade. “To honor the sensibilities of our friend, Oakmoss, I consulted with all of you, and instead of providing two options for this evening, as previously planned, I have invested the hold’s resources in one entree, consisting of seared mackerel basted with a vegetable oil based gravy flavored with wild harvested mushrooms. Our humanoids will enjoy our braised summer squash with onions, which I have made in quantity. In light of how dragons benefit from small quantities of vegetables, which they prefer partly digested from the stomachs of their prey, I have decided to start us off with a salad based off of sauerkraut, which also includes a mirepoix based on carrots, fresh chive, and celery. You will find a few incidental side dishes being placed out as you dine, and you may feel free to enjoy them as you would like. Please, enjoy, and I welcome all of your wonderful feedback.”
With that, The Group began to dine together at one table. As they did so, however, the dragons that had grown up as slaves were beginning to have the thoughts of free creatures. Under Oakmoss’ instruction, they were slowly learning to behave like freethinking, civilized dragons.
The airship was temporarily docked in a small canyon, with the river that had cut it flowing below. The sun was setting. The Group would have a little while to get to know each other, over the next day or so.