Summary: It’s been nearly a week since you let Tam, a dragon, go free from one of your traps. Today, as you once again make your rounds in the forest, you hear a familiar voice. Tam has returned to pay their “lucky human” a visit.

PART 1

CW: mentions of indentured servitude, mention/description of injuries caused by past physical abuse

Author’s Note: Oh, Tam, my sweet one. High INT, low WIS <3

Usage:

• OK to record & monetize, as long as you give me credit in the video/audio description as the scriptwriter! I would also love to listen to the recording when it’s done–please send me the link on Reddit! Paywalling is okay; however, if you paywall, you must make it possible for me to listen to the finished product.
• Gender-flipping and small tweaks are okay, but no large edits are permitted.
• Feel free to use music or insert sound effects if you’d like. Any sound effects given are suggestions–use at your discretion. *Sound effects in bold, set apart by asterisks\*
• Any dialogue or reactions given by the Listener are purely for the benefit of the VA, to help them feel like they have something to respond to while they’re acting. Listener reactions in italics.
• Please let me know if you have any questions!

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SETTING: A forest.

Human? Human! It’s you! My lucky human! I almost couldn’t tell with the hood of your cloak up like tha—

\Sound effect—a blade being drawn\**

—Aaaah! Wait, no; hold on! It’s me! Tam; remember??? The dragon you set free from that trap last week!?...

\Sound effect—sheathing a blade\**

\relieved exhale** Whew! That’s a relief. I was afraid you might not remember me.

The Listener asks how they could possibly forget a huge dragon.

Do I really think you could possibly forget a big dragon like me? Wait, you think I’m big? Really!? Wow…thank you! You must not have met very many dragons, though. My hatchmates always used to call me “nugget”. You know, like a gold nugget. Small, in other words. Some of them still do...either that, or “bookwyrm.” Though, I guess that one fits pretty well.

“Tam, what the hell are you doing here!?”

What am I doing here? Oh, I, uh—I wanted to see if you were okay. You looked worried last time, when I left. Your mouth smiled, but it didn’t ever reach your eyes.

“You idiot! How did you know I’d be alone!? If other members of the Guild were with me, you’d be dead meat!”

I—I know. I made sure to be careful, though! I kept a sharp eye out for traps this time. After last time, I looked through all of my books for information about them. I couldn’t find much, but at least I know what a couple of them look like now.

“Wow, you really love to read, huh?”

\sheepish** Is it that obvious? Yeah…I love to read. Some dragons hoard gold or jewels or treasures. Nyldru hoards priceless art–-you should see his cave; it’s like a fancy museum. But I hoard books. I’m really glad my breath weapon didn’t turn out to be fire, ha ha…that wouldn’t have worked out so well.

The Listener chuckles. “No kidding. So…what do you like to read?”

What do I like to read? Anything I can get my claws on! Magic, history, science, storybooks. My hoard is still pretty small compared to some—it’s not like I can just walk into a human town in my dragon form and buy books, you know? My disguise magic works okay, but still, I’m always afraid some mage will see through it. I’m working on it, though! Someday, I want to have a whole library. What about you, human? Do you like to read?

The Listener shrugs. “I used to. I just…don’t have much time for it anymore.”

You used to, but…you don’t have time for it anymore? What do you mean?

“It’s—it’s nothing. Forget it.”

It doesn’t sound like nothing. Your voice is tilting down, and suddenly you won’t look at me. Are you okay?

“I’m fine. I just—have a lot to do these days for the Guild.”

Oh…yeah. You just have a lot of work to do for the Guild. That…that makes sense, I guess. Do you—do you like working for them?

The Listener snorts. “Of course not. Does anyone?”

No? But, if you don’t like it, then, why stay? Do humans always have to do the same job?

“Not all of us. But I do. I can’t leave the Guild.”

You can’t leave? Why not?

“I don’t want to talk about it.”

You don’t want to talk about it? Well…okay. If you ever do want to talk, though, you’re always welcome to talk to me. I know I talk a lot, myself, but I’m also happy to listen. Just poke me and tell me to shut up.

“Um…thanks. You’re definitely not what I would’ve expected from a dragon.”

I’m not what you would’ve expected from a dragon? Oh, thank you! Wait—is that a compliment?

The Listener nods.

It is? Oh, good. Come to think of it, most of the dragons in your human storybooks are pretty awful creatures. I guess that’s probably what you expected, right?...I know; I don’t get it! Why are they all so obsessed with kidnapping princesses? And then guarding them in towers? Towers make terrible lairs—there’s barely any room to sneeze, let alone stretch out! And they’re so wet and drafty—you’d get scale rot within a month. I’m starting to think those authors had never met an actual dragon before. Oh, sorry…I’m rambling again. Am—am I the first dragon you met?

The Listener nods.

Oh, wow! So, I’m your first dragon, and you’re my first human! I don’t know if I’m really the best dragon to start out with…but I’m definitely lucky that you were the first human I met. Hey—if it’s okay, could I maybe call you that instead? “Lucky”? It sounds so much nicer than “human”.

The Listener’s mouth curls up. “Sure. Why not?”

Sure? \happy laugh** Okay, great! Thanks, Lucky!

The Listener says it’s been great to see them, but they need to start heading back.

Huh? You need to start heading back? You need to finish your rounds before dark? Oh yeah, of course. Sorry—it’s just, this is the most fun I’ve had in ages. I really like being around you, Lucky.

The Listener offers their hand.

Huh? You’re sticking your hand out at me? Am I missing something?

The Listener explains.

OH…humans shake hands sometimes, when you greet or leave each other. Can I try? My paw is pretty big, but maybe it’ll work.

They close their clawed hand around the Listener’s.

Okay, so I grab your hand. Now what?...I just shake my paw up and down? Alright—here goes.

He shakes the Listener’s hand in a wild, uncontrolled fashion. The Listener is pulled along for the ride, like an inner tube being pulled behind a boat. As this happens, the hood of the Listener’s cloak slips backwards off their head, exposing their face.

Whoa! Oh, gods! Sorry—I didn’t mean to yank you around so hard. I’m not that strong compared to some dragons, but I guess I should try to be—

\Sees a black eye & bruises on the Listener’s face**

Wait—Lucky! Your face! Oh, gods—what happened!?

“It’s nothing! I’m FINE.”

It’s NOT nothing! Your eye—it’s swollen! And the purple and red on your cheek—I may not know too much about humans, but I know your skin’s not supposed to be those colors! Was…was this an accident? Or…

Finally, the Listener’s resolve crumbles. They shake their head.

It wasn’t an accident? \serious** Lucky—who did this to you? Please…tell me.

The Listener explains.

…The Guildmaster? Because you didn’t manage to meet your quota last week? \softly, riddled with guilt** Oh, Bahamut…this…this is because of me, isn’t it? Because you let me go. If you’d brought me in, then…he wouldn’t have…

The Listener explains that they don’t regret it.

Huh? You don’t regret it? No one deserves to die like the victims of the Guild? Oh, Lucky…I, I don’t know what to say. I’m so sorry. Wait—will you come back with me?

“Come back home? With you???”

Yeah—back home, to my cave. I have some medicine that might help.

“No, I—I don’t know if that’s a good idea.”

Please? The sun has almost set anyway—I’d hate to think of you trying to find your way in the forest alone, at night. I’d like to know that you’re safe, even if it’s just for one night. If it means you might get punished more, though, then, that’s different. If you need to be back tonight, then, in that case, I can walk you out of the forest, if you’d like.

The Listener agrees to come back with him.

Huh? You’ll come back with me? Oh—okay, great! Thank you. Here—do you want to climb on my back? It’ll go faster if we fly.

\Sound effect—the Listener climbs on his back\**

Sorry if my back ridge is poking you. Are you okay up there? Alright. Hang on tight—this might be kinda bumpy!

\Sound effect—wings flapping away\**