Only if Mimi Agrees {Dragon}

Raphael wasn't amused that the staff was shorthanded. Okay, okay, so dragon taming had a few occupational hazards, but it didn't mean that they should be running him ragged. He'd done his time, he deserved a break, right? But apparently not. At least this particular job was something that was actually under his jurisdiction- helping someone find a dragon that they could work with. He knew dragons, their personalities- and sure, he wasn't a people person, but dragons weren't stupid. They could do all the judging of character for themselves. All he really had to do was serve as a translator, and so he was actually in a decent mood as he approached the dragon pens, his two Terrors clinging to his shoulders and Saggezza trailing along behind them. He slowed a bit as he rounded the corner toward the gates- and hey, there was actually someone there, on time. Thank Thor. He probably shouldn't be surprised, Mirun's son and all, but he still had the time to be relieved. He gave a genuine, albeit small, smile and a small wave as he approached the student. "Nikulas, right? C-congratulations on advancing." He came to stand in front of the other and offered his hand. "I'm Raphael, I'll be helping you meet your p-partner." He moved on after a moment, working on opening the various latches and buckles to get into the pens. He spoke to the other as he worked, partly to pass the time and part because it was indeed actually necessary. "Ssso? Talk to me. What did you have in mind? Species, personality?" Was he usually this talkative? No, but this was important. They'd be partners for life, after all, he had to have the information to make a good match. And no matter how shy he was, he could talk about dragons all day long. Now to hope that this student actually had some clue as to what he was doing.

It didn't go unnoticed how Nik comforted his Terror as the creature cowered in fear. Raphael couldn't describe just how relieved he was- he raised most Terrors that students received, and he'd admit that he'd been worried about that one. He wouldn't have given the shy dragon away at all, had he not been too busy to give the creature the time and attention it deserved. He hummed his approval at the student's request to have his Terror approve, so pleased he very well near purred. He had to admit he'd been the slightest bit nervous, though he knew now there was no reason to be. This kid was nothing like the psychotic Mirun! Er, don't tell the breeder he said (well, thought) that. He supposed the kid must have at least heard about him from his father, though, if that blush-inducing praise was anything to go by. "Ah, thanksss. I'm not the one who's going to have to live with the c-consequences, though, ssso..." He finished opening up the gates and gave the solid wooden door a nice, hard heave, letting it swing open with a rather satisfying creaking noise. He paused rather than enter, though, watching the student contemplatively. "Hmm. Well. I think a Nadder might be a bit much for him. They're all different, of course, but they can be rather... ah, needy." He ran through a quick inventory of their current dragons in his head, trying to find someone who might be at least slightly compatible. "A Zippleback might be a little overwhelming for him at first, but at least they tend to be a bit calmer. You should at least meet a Thunderdrum, though, we have one or two that aren't too terribly loud... Ah, give me a minute?"  

He beckoned to the student, invited him in toward the central pen where he would meet his choices, before scurrying off toward the areas for individual dragons, Saggezza in tow. The tamer returned several minutes later, his Nightmare herding a group of three dragons before him. Raphael bade them all stop at the edge of the pen, not wanting to frighten the young Terror more than necessary, though he was forced to raise his voice a bit to be heard. "I grabbed one from each species that I thought might work. Which would you like to meet first?"

Nightmare, hmm? Seemed strange to start with one that he wasn't big on, but oh well. Nightmares were rather scary, though he supposed they were closest in biology to a Terror, so maybe that would scare Mimi less...? Eh, no matter how the decision had been made, the Tamer would stick with it. He spoke quietly to Saggezza for a few moments, hoping to keep the other dragons back at a safe distance- they'd probably obey, they were all quieter dragons anyway- and led the Nightmare forward, murmuring to it quietly in an attempt to keep it from making any sudden movements. Not that it worked very well- halfway across the arena the dragon made a break for it, picking up speed in its eagerness to meet the young breeder. "H-hey, wait!" Raphael took off after it, lavishing rubs and scratches under the dragon's chin until it was collapsed in a purring pile at his feet. He turned to look at Nik and his Terror, somewhat alarmed. "Sorry! He's just... ah, eager." He scratched the back of his head awkwardly, casting several glances between the Nightmare and the student. "He's a little on the energetic side for you, m-maybe. Really loyal and protective though. Thought that... m-might be n-nice? Aww, he liked this kid, he really didn't want to mess up. Lady, sensing her human's concern, took to chattering at the Nightmare scoldingly, complete with little angry hand motions with her front paw. The teacher shushed her, blushing a little, before turning back toward the student. "So, um, worth looking into...? Or...?" Ahh, not a great start.

Raphael winced as Mimi cowered- he knew this Nightmare could be a bit much but he'd hoped they'd get along a little better than that. Fortunately, some help from his trainer helped the Terror to calm down some. He fidgeted a little in place, watching the student warily, and gave an audible sigh of relief at the boy's reaction. "It'sss good of you to recognize that," he nodded, approving. There wasn't going to be a dragon that Mimi instantly trusted, of course; this boy had realistic expectations, the tamer liked that. He'd always been rather font of Torrents, too bad he'd been lumped in with Mystery back in the day. "So we won't put him away, then, hmm? Let'sss meet the next one- er, onesss?" He beckoned the Nightmare back and the dragon came reluctantly, to be replaced by a blue Zipplehead. The two-headed dragon approached a bit more tactfully, seeming to sense the Terror's fear and being careful to move slowly as they sniffed at Nik tentatively. "They might not provide the sssame protection, but these two girls are sweet as can be." They crooned to the Terror softly, almost as if to prove his point, pressing close in the hopes of a nuzzle. Hopefully the two heads wouldn't be too much for Mimi to handle.

That went considerably better, at least on Mimi's part, though it was clear to Raphael that the gentle Zippleback didn't have quite the same call to the breeder. He could understand the concern- it was a problem he'd run into with his own Snaptrapper, back when he was out in the field, which seemed ages ago now. Shy dragons were miracle workers when working with dragons in the pens, but when push came to shove they just didn't have the same danger protection. "I underssstand. Might make a nice second dragon though, drop by and say hi sssome day. You're going to be a breeder, right, you'll come visit?" He felt sort of bad as he beckoned the Zippleback back to the group, though the sweet things seemed to take it in stride. He gave them an extra scratch and a promise to bring some salmon later, anyway, before laughing quietly at Nik's concern. "No no, don't worry about it, I'd much rather be here than teaching freshmen. And don't call me professssor, you're making me feel old." He managed to keep from blushing, though, which was improvement, he supposed. He really did like this boy, he was so level-headed compared to, well, everyone. "I want you to find a good match! And besides, he might be worth it." The Thunderdrum gave him a somewhat cautious look, but went forward easily enough at Raphael's encouragement. The big dragon waddle forward calmly enough, stopping just before Nik and waiting politely to avoid making the Terror nervous.

Ha! There! That was definitely a show of confidence, even if it tired the Terror out enough that it scurried away again. It was definitely progress, and with a dragon that would be of some use defensively, as well. Raphael was feeling pretty proud, if he did say so himself. It was good to know the boy would visit, too- they definitely needed more keepers, and he could see this kid in the future caring for the more sensitive dragons. Yes, Mimi and Nik had been a good match, good for both of them, and he had a feeling that the two of them and the Thunderdrum would be a good match too. Maybe. It wasn't for him to say, of course, but he could hope. He had to admit he was a bit surprised by the 'professor'- wait, was this student actually teasing?- but his only response was a smile in return. It was good to have someone comfortable enough with him to do that; he'd been shoved into the role of teacher rather quickly, it really was enough to make him feel old some days. And, bonus, they weren't a total freshman about it! If only everyone in the school was more like this student, then they might actually get somewhere. "I'd be willing to show you the others, of course, but if you have a choice." His Terrors chirped and crooned happily, picking up on his good mood, and Raphael crossed his fingers behind his back, hoping his instincts were right.