Chapter Text
Late, late!
(Y/N) scrambles around her study, a quaint round room assorted with many different bizarre and wonderful things. In a round tower in a secluded part of the university dwells her treasured paradise, a quiet place of focus and learning, but today’s not about learning, it's about making it to the meeting on time!
Pushing her thin round wire frame glasses up her nose, she checks herself in the full length mirror, trying to calm unruly hair in a hurry. Surrendering and choosing to tie it up into a bun instead, the woman grabs her leather satchel, going through her mental checklist of things before snapping the clasp shut and slinging it over her shoulder. Giving the room one last glance, (Y/N) nods, turning to her most prized item - a perfectly preserved dragon’s heart, suspended in clear liquid.
“Wish me luck, Scooter!” She chirps happily. “If I can get this approved, then there’s so much more we can learn! Imagine not having to pour over dusty old texts whenever we have a question!” Not that she minded the reading, but she’s read almost every book on the history of the dragon peoples and has written several herself. After years of the same routine, she craves something different, something exciting. “Well, bye for now! I’ll let you know what they’ve decided when I get back. Watch the fort for me!”
Footsteps echo as she scurries down the old castle halls, weaving between students and other teachers as she reaches the most populated realm of Grand University. Adjusting her billowing robes to at least be somewhat presentable, she comes to a halt before large wooden double doors mounted on giant iron hinges. This is always the most intimidating part, taking a deep breath before pushing them open.
The hinges creak and whine, the soft whispering of the council chamber silencing as all heads turn to face her. Taking a shuddering breath to steel her nerves, (Y/N) gives her best crooked grin, bounding inside, the intuitive doors shutting as she goes past.
“Professor (L/N),” a pale man greets, purple eyes gleaming happily despite his calm exterior.
“Lord Ubuyashiki! It's so good to see you!” Setting decorum aside, the petite woman throws herself into one of her oldest friend’s arms, the man laughing and giving her an affectionate squeeze, despite the side-eyes in the room he’s getting.
“And it’s good to see you, my child. Let us sit.” Kagaya smiles kindly as he pulls out one of the stiff wooden chairs for her, a gentlemanly gesture before gracefully taking his seat on the other side.
“Now then,” one of the older women in the room clears her throat, hands folding neatly on the table, “allow us to discuss what’s gathered us here. An event unheard of has occurred.” As she reaches into pristine maroon robes, she reveals a letter, (Y/N) sitting up straighter in her seat. “Our Professor of Dragon-Kin History proposed last quarter a rather ridiculous idea of - what was it you said, dear?”
“A hands-on experience studying the true culture of dragons!” Eyes sparkling, (Y/N) rests her hands over her heart as she dives into her passions. “For so long we’ve only relied on rumors and our own history books for dragon culture, and have only focused on the history itself, but we know so little about the nuances of their everyday lives and customs.”
“And despite your proposition of reaching out to one of the several Tribes on the continent being declined, you did so anyway,” a pudgy middle-aged man grumbles.
“Yet we’ve received a response,” the elder woman interjects, earning a bewildered expression from the man.
“What?”
“They’re typically very secluded, aren’t they?” Kagaya adds, the calmness of his voice easing the building tension in the room.
(Y/N) nods at this, cheeks coloring in disbelief her letter earned a response. “There are two prominent Tribes, typically made up of different clans. There are the Moons in the North and the Suns in the East. I sent my letter to the leader of the Sun Tribe.”
“Kyojuro Rengoku,” Kagaya ponders softly. “I’ve heard he is quite remarkable. Famous among Dragon-Kin for his battle prowess and respected in his ways of leadership. Say, mistress, what is the response?”
The maroon garbed woman at the head of the table huffs, not exactly wanting to open the letter and validate (Y/N)’s insubordination, but there’s just as much a chance she’s been declined, right? Picking up a letter opener, she performs a well practiced swipe of the dull blade, breaking the wax seal of a flame insignia and pulling out the worn paper. Unfurling it, her eyes do a quick skim, widening in complete surprise.
“Well?” The pudgy man asks aggressively
“Patience,” the woman snips, heaving a long sigh as she adjusts her half-moon spectacles. “Lady (L/N). I, as well as the rest of my Tribe, are so incredibly flattered that one as accomplished and recognized as yourself has shown such interest in my people’s way of life. I must admit I was rather skeptical at first, but after a great deal of consideration, I have taken it upon myself to provide you with the means to do so. Under the protection of the Rengoku clan of Dragon-Kin, you are permitted to live amongst the Sun Tribe as if you were Dragon-Kin yourself. We look forward to making your acquaintance and showing you the ways of our people. Welcome to the Kin, my lady. I hope it will be as much of an enriching experience as you are hoping it will be. Yours, Kyojuro Rengoku.”
It's barely sunk in. Blinking, (Y/N) sits with a guise of utter calm as she processes the good news. She- It- She’s going to stay with dragons!
Rising to her feet in such a rush she pushes the chair back, hands slamming down on the table, she laughs in complete glee. “Really?! You’re not messing with me? They said yes? I’m going to be the first human in our history to write a book on Dragon-Kin culture?!”
“Oh, please, calm yourself, girl,” the pudgy man sneers, arms crossed over his chest.
“Come now, my lord,” a deceptively kind smile curves thin lips, Kagaya tilting his head, “you don’t think this is an accomplishment in its own right? We know very little of dragons - from how they transform from beasts to human-like creatures, to their rumored potions and dragon battles. I, for one, am very interested in our accomplished professor’s future works.”
“Lord Ubuyashiki,” (Y/N) gushes in awe, resisting the urge to hug her oldest friend.
“As if the university will sponsor such a thing,” the pudgy man grumbles, earning a few looks from the rather silent members.
“I don’t see the harm in sending her,” a younger woman with hazy purple eyes and rosy red lips says, “as it opens up many more opportunities for subjects to study. The university will become the only that offers such courses, and I can imagine it would be just as prosperous as the medical institution I head.”
“Thank you, Lady Tamayo,” Kagaya nods. “With that, shall we take a vote? The Rengoku lord is more than willing to offer protection, and that does cover living and food, correct?”
“It falls under what we know to be called dragon hospitality, so I’d think so, yes.” Pushing her glasses up her nose, (Y/N) has the grace to straighten herself and bow. “Members of the board, I humbly request the sponsorship of this expedition.”
“Those in favor?” The maroon woman asks, hands remaining perfectly still. Only Kagaya and Tamayo’s hands raise, three others unmoving. “Ah, well that’s that, isn’t it?”
“Then I will personally finance the trip,” Kagaya shrugs, smile entirely innocent as several jaws drop.
“Lord Ubuyashiki, I can’t ask you to do this for me!”
“Yes, that’s right, you’ve covered for her enough,” the pudgy man growls. “Professor (L/N) has made it clear she does what she wants when she wants! It would be foolish for us as the board to promote we tolerate such behavior by allowing this!”
“But the populace knows nothing about her sending the letter?” Purple eyes focus on the man, an unamused gleam in her gaze. “What a pathetic excuse. Were you hoping she would fail, my good lord? It would be good for the university to sponsor the study of another culture. Isn’t it encouraged these days, even amongst humankind?”
“Well, I-“
“I will finance it as well, then, if members of the board are truly so petty and proud. How disappointing.”
“I would like to change my vote,” the fifth member speaks up, raising her hand.
“My, my, sweet wife,” Kagaya chuckles, “what persuaded you?”
“We are an institute of education,” Amane says, posture exuding grace. “We would be a pathetic excuse of such if we were to ignore this opportunity.”
“I couldn’t agree more. Then it is decided? The expedition will be financed?”
“Very well,” the elder woman says with a defeated expression, ratifying the notion with a stroke of her feathered pen. “Professor (L/N)’s expedition for the enrichment of Dragon-Kin culture has been approved by a majority vote by the board. Don’t let us down, young lady.”
“I won’t! You won’t regret this!” Bowing, rushing to the door, then turning to bow again, (Y/N) leaves in a hurried rush towards her secluded tower, scrambling up stone steps with such excitement the air buzzes around her. What a dream come true!
Bursting through the door of her study, she’s already plopping a large bag on the table, running up the wrought iron curling set of stairs to the next level. The lid of the chest at the foot of her bed flies open, the woman rummaging through it in search of all her needed garments - some nice and some rugged - rushing back down the stairs to hurriedly pack them away. Oh, what books should she bring? Should she bring Scooter, or would that be weird? That would be weird, why would she bring a pickling dragon’s heart? That could be offensive.
Oh, gods, she’s going to learn what’s offensive! Do they have special curse words? Slang? What rituals do they have? How do they preserve their history? Are they as advanced as the human race is in means of medicine? Are dragon potions really just a rumor? (Y/N) must admit, she has so many questions her mind is spinning. She’ll record some of her biggest ones on the way there, she decides, fingers gliding over leather bound book spines in debate of which to bring. She can’t bring too many.
Settling on the basic compendium she herself wrote on dragon history, as well as one on other lores and rumors, she sets them by her bag, blinking in surprise realizing she’s already packed. Ah, she was a bit excited it seems, especially because it may still be some time before she even leaves.
Might as well give herself a refresher!
Opening to a random chapter in the heavy grimoire, she hums in thought. That’s right. There hasn’t been a human allowed to study the Kin’s cultures, but there have been instances of humans being taken as mates, but they’ve been assimilated into the Tribes and adopted the no sharing mentality along with it.
How greedy.
What does mate mean to a dragon? (Y/N) muses silently, leaning her cheek in her palm. Is it an awkward subject for them similar to how sex in general is for humans? What rituals are involved with it?
This woman is well on her way to finding answers to all her questions.