Hearts and Dragons

The castle stables, where the sound of restless dragons echoes. Kei watches as Auren timidly approaches a large, untamed dragon chained to a post. The creature growls, smoke curling from its nostrils.
Kei
Kei
(whispering to Xue) You’ve got to be kidding me. He wants me to get near that?
System [Xue]
System [Xue]
Don’t chicken out now. It’s your chance to earn some affection points! Besides, who doesn’t love a daring dragon tamer?
Kei
Kei
(gritting his teeth) Daring or dead. Got it.
Auren
Auren
(glancing nervously at Kei) Are you sure you want to help with this, Sir Kei?
Kei
Kei
(Forcing a confident smile) Of course. What’s a little dragon taming between friends?
System [Xue]
System [Xue]
(snickering) Friends. Sure. Let’s go with that.
Kei steps closer to the dragon. It snarls, baring its teeth, but he doesn’t flinch. Auren watches from behind, his face pale but filled with a hint of admiration.
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Kei
Kei
(calmly) Easy, big guy. We’re not here to hurt you.
Auren
Auren
(whispering) Sir Kei... be careful. He’s never let anyone near him before.
System [Xue]
System [Xue]
(dryly) Yeah, thanks for the pep talk, Prince.
Kei
Kei
(to the dragon) Relax. I know you’re scared too. Let’s take this slow, okay?
The dragon growls again but doesn’t attack. Kei carefully extends a hand, maintaining eye contact with the beast. The tension is thick.
Auren
Auren
(awed) You’re... not afraid?
Kei
Kei
Glancing back with a smirk) Afraid? Of course. But sometimes, you just have to fake it till you make it.
System [Xue]
System [Xue]
(chuckling) Smooth, darling. Very smooth.
Auren
Auren
(smiling faintly) You’re amazing, Sir Kei.
A soft chime echoes in Kei’s head. A notification appears in his vision.
System Notification: Affection Points +5
Kei
Kei
(In his head) Did I just... earn points for being reckless?
System [Xue]
System [Xue]
Yep! Keep it up, and he might propose by next week.
Kei
Kei
(mutters) Not funny.
The dragon sniffs Kei’s hand, then lets out a low rumble. Slowly, Kei moves closer, placing a hand on the dragon’s snout. Auren gasps in amazement.
Auren
Auren
(excitedly) You did it! He’s letting you touch him!
Kei
Kei
(grinning) Looks like we’re friends now, huh?
The dragon huffs, nudging Kei’s hand gently. Auren steps closer, his initial fear replaced by awe.
Auren
Auren
(hesitant) Do you think... I could try?
Kei
Kei
(nodding) Go for it. Just stay calm.
Kei guides Auren’s hand toward the dragon. Auren’s touch is shaky at first, but the dragon doesn’t pull away. Instead, it lets out a soft, approving growl.
Auren
Auren
(whispering) This is incredible...
Kei
Kei
(smiling) Told you it wasn’t so bad.
System [Xue]
System [Xue]
(teasing) Aww, look at the budding bromance. Or should I say... romance?
Kei
Kei
(internally) Shut up, Xue.
As the dragon relaxes, Auren turns to Kei, his eyes sparkling with admiration.
Auren
Auren
Sir Kei... thank you. I’ve been trying to bond with him for weeks, but I was always too afraid. You gave me courage.
Another chime echoes. Kei’s system notification appears again.
System Notification: Affection Points +10
Kei
Kei
(in his head) Okay, this might not be so hard after all.
System [Xue]
System [Xue]
Don’t get cocky. There’s still a long way to go.
Suddenly, a loud roar shakes the stables. A second dragon, much larger and fiercer, breaks free from its chains, its eyes blazing with fury.
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Auren
Auren
(panicking) Oh no! That’s the alpha dragon!
System [Xue]
System [Xue]
(dryly) Guess we’re about to see how brave you really are, Kei.
Kei
Kei
(groaning) I knew this was too good to be true.
To be continued...
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