Dragon's recovery is fast, as he had expected the arrival of his decrepit counterpart. He had not, however, expected Chimaera's refusal, and his turn floats lazily closer.

"So protective of your own survival," he purrs, "are you a caged animal, too afraid to take your food now that you have been given the luxury of hand feeding?"

He thinks Chimaera isn't likely to take the bait, too old and selfish and wily, but he drifts away with a push of his wings anyway. Then he snorts, at Nitoh and his Phantom both, and angles his snout toward the largest crack.

His body tenses.