I was snapped out of my thoughts by As's irritated snort.

What now? – I looked at the dragon, raising an eyebrow.

Do we have to sit here all night? Isn't it better to keep going?

I'm tired, I don't have as much stamina as some, which is strange, considering how much time you've spent on your dragon butt.

Exactly... I've been sitting. I'm tired of sitting...

Well, I'm not.

I'll carry you.

No. Goodnight.

Do you even sleep? You're a plant!

I looked at him coldly. I didn't want him to see that I might have been touched by his words... as if a plant didn't feel and didn't deserve what a dragon or a human does.

He endured my gaze for a few seconds, but then perhaps realized he had gone too far because he snorted again and leaned against a tree, closing his eyes.

We chose a small clearing in the forest, a bit off the road. Starlight pierced through the tree canopies and gently caressed my skin. Skin. A funny feeling and strangely familiar... Well, I must have had skin once. I wasn't always a flower, right?

As...

A moment of silence.

Yeah?

Do you think we were someone else before?

What?

I mean... before we became what we are now, were we someone else... did we have a family, friends, a life... What do you think?

Silence again. I even wondered if he had fallen asleep or was ignoring me.

You know... I think maybe we were, maybe we weren't. Life is a mystery and even living thousands of years, I know little about it. But do you know what I know for sure?

Hmm?

That we are alive now. We are someone and maybe we don't have a big family or a circle of friends, but we'll manage. Don't worry little one, with As nothing will harm you – he yawned lengthily.

I smiled involuntarily. He could be nice sometimes.

Provided that you don't get too much under my feet and try to boss me around – he added, and the charm was gone.

I rolled my eyes and sighed. Idiot.

This is a city?

Kind of.

Kind of?

As you can see, it's quite small compared to big cities. Nevertheless, I'm sure we'll find a Guild there and some job to start earning a bit.

He might have been saying something else, but I wasn't listening. I was staring at the blue roofs of the houses, shimmering like crystal windows, colorfully dressed people entering and leaving through the gate, maneuvering around carriages.

The city was surrounded by a small wall, which in turn was surrounded by fields and farms.

From the hill on the edge of the forest, where As and I had stopped, there was indeed a good view of the city and its territories.

Incredible – I finally said, my voice full of admiration.

The first time I saw a city. Wait... first? Seems so. Although... didn't I live in a city once? Maybe... not important.

What's incredible? This hole? – The dragon's voice was full of surprise.

The architectural and racial diversity in one place. The need for belonging that binds all the residents. So many interesting aspects to observe and learn – I looked at him as if these answers were obvious.

He raised an eyebrow slightly.

Yeah, sure... But don't learn too much from humans or other races, okay? They are very backward and primitive creatures – he muttered under his breath.

The ones who locked you in a cave – I said innocently.

Yeah... When they did that, this city was a backwater village.

I wasn't sure if I heard disappointment, irritation, or both in his voice. I wonder if it had to do with the fact that those who had locked him in the cave had long since ceased to exist?

Well, let's go – I started off briskly only to be stopped a moment later by two strong hands.

As?

The dragon, after stopping me, walked around me and stood in front of me, crossing his arms over his chest.

Not "As" but rather "think". You're a damn plant... get it? A plant in almost a human body dressed in a piece of white cloth, which hardly passes for a dress. If we go there, either they'll think you're my slave, and I'm some pervert and they'll skin me, or they'll think you're some creature that came to curse them, they'll attack, I'll have to defend you, so they'll skin me. See? In each of these scenarios, I get hurt. Clear? And I don't want to get hurt. So, before we get in there, we need to get rid of that rag you're wearing – he spoke calmly with a slight resignation, as if speaking to a child who still won't understand.

And I understood. Almost.

Okay... so I need to get rid of this – I nodded, looking down at the piece of fabric adorning me.

The white "rag", as the dragon called it, was actually a very primitive covering that was once probably the shirt of a corpse that the dragon made me feed on in the cave. "Once" is a good word. And it smelled of death. Indeed not very good clothing for the city.

I grabbed the material and started to pull it up to take it off.

Stop! What are you doing?! – As immediately started waving his hands as if shooing away a swarm of wasps and quickly turned his gaze away, annoyed.

I was supposed to get rid of it...

But wait until we find you other clothes and don't undress in public. Remember... people and the like don't undress just anywhere and in front of just anyone.

I was surprised.

You're not just anyone, because that would mean I don't care who you are. And since I know your name, unfortunately, I already know who you are – I replied after a moment.

He sighed but also smiled with slight amusement.

Okay... differently. A woman shouldn't undress in front of a guy unless she feels something for him.

But I "feel" something for you.

He flinched as if shocked... as if he hadn't expected it.

Mainly it's irritation or curiosity. The former when you speak, the latter when you're silent – I added and the shock on his face disappeared.

Then let me...

I don't allow it.

Let me put it another way – he emphasized his words.

People and other humanoids will think badly of you if you do that. They'll think you're a prostitute or something. And before you ask... a prostitute is someone who sells their body, lets others do filthy things with them just to get money. Now... clear?

I furrowed my brows.

You could've just said that humanoids don't like it... I don't know why you delve into irrelevant details. Less talking, more facts – I said reproachfully.

He muttered something and started counting from 10 to 0. I don't know why, but I sensed he was a bit angry. But I wasn't very interested because I started looking around for where I could get new clothes. And that reminded me of something.

How do people dress?

Normally... pants, shirt... women often in dresses and stuff.

What are the main components of clothes made of?

Well, obviously plant and animal origin – he stopped when he realized what I meant.

I'll be right back. Be a good dragon and wait – I turned on my heel and went into the trees.

I didn't look back, so I couldn't see that As was watching me in a strange way. Strange because it was incomprehensible to me... I can't yet identify all emotions. Ah... wait. How do I know, even though I didn't turn around, that he made a face? There are other ways to see, especially when there are so many trees around.

[Skill Upgrade: Bond with Plants II upgraded to Bond with Plants III]

Let's see if my bond with plants is strong enough to create clothing. It shouldn't be difficult, right? Since clothes are made partly from plants and animals, making clothes shouldn't be harder than transforming into a human, right?

At least that's what I thought...