Admittedly, Perrath feels something unfamiliar stirring in his chest while Raoul looks at him, deciding if he’s a meal or a threat. The dragon has no idea if the dhampir is immune to fear in this state, and he took a gamble by doing this and putting himself in this position. Their eyes lock on one another, an intense stare until a stalactite breaks the contest and splits them. Lucky for Perrath, the dhampir decides not to fight and instead to flee.

Metal pauldrons clatter as Perrath’s shoulders relax, but he has to get out too! Rushing through the water and after Raoul, Perrath makes his way out of the cave only to find Raoul and the adventuring group outside with the mortals cowering in fear. The cave entrance crumbles behind him.

Perrath glances at Raoul before lifting his chin and glowering at the adventurers, a challenge for them. This will decide their fate. He speaks with authority. “What happened today?”

The cavers glance at each other, too anxious to speak, until they nudge one of the members forward. Trembling, the man says, “U-Um… We were attacked by Flederwulves, a-and that guy became a monster..!” With a rattled hand, he points at Raoul.

Perrath’s brow twitches. Idiots. “Wrong.”

“Wh-What?”

“We were attacked by Flederwulves, and myself and Raoul saved you. There was no blood-consuming monster. Only a pair of adventurers who gave all they had to save you.” He speaks with authority, a threat on his lips. Talons on the ends of his fingers twitch, daring them to spill what happened. Daring them to tell what they saw. “Because of these heroes, no one in your group suffered any fatal injuries. You return home safely because of us.”

There’s an audible gulp from the group. They seem to get the picture that the scary dragon man will kill them if they spill it. “R-Right.”

“Good. You may leave.” While the group shuffles off, Perrath turns back to Raoul and waves his hand at him, trying to catch his attention, snapping his fingers if he has to. “Raoul, back to your senses. I will drag you elsewhere if I must.”

Regardless of if Raoul comes to his sense, Perrath looks around at what’s left behind. A couple of backpacks, dishes made of wood or tin. Typical camp gear. But something smells odd, and it catches his attention. Squatting down, the dragon starts going through the backpacks, pulling everything out and dumping its contents onto the ground. His brow furrows when he finally finds a small package that has a distinct, stinging scent. Unfolding it, Perrath discovers that it contains a toxic weed that he has read about recently, something that authorities do not want on the streets.

Perhaps, they can garner a win today. This should go back to Sky Peak. Carefully, Perrath packs it back up, careful not to get anything on himself then stands again. “Do you have your senses now?”

The eerie-eyed dhampir would simply stare at the cave divers and Perrath as they talked with his beady red eyes. The dragon fellow seemed nice enough but the others were starting to get annoying. As the cave diver pointed at him the monster would smile widely baring his fangs at him further scaring them. They were amusing at least, like prey cowering in fear before they got eaten. He was already pretty full at this point but wouldn’t be against some dessert. As he contemplates whether or not to eat them, the dragon fellows speak to them in a firm tone. Perrath seems to be the one in charge of his voice keeping the others in complete check. Everyone gets the picture with the cave divers leaving, promising to stick to the story. The monster doesn’t particularly care, simply licking his bloodied lips as he stares at them leaving. His idle thoughts of nothing were interrupted by the dragon fellow as he asked him a question.

The dhampir just looked at him with confusion before muttering, “Food?” questioning the fellow with the only thing he cared about. As Perrath digs into the backpacks to find the toxic weed Raoul manages to find a few pieces of beef jerky. He greedily devours them, the only sound coming from him being, “nom nom nom nom”.

Afterwards, the monster crouches taking a second to yawn as sleepiness hits him immediately after eating so much. As he lays his head down on the dirt floor a certain presence begins to return to his head. Raoul closes his eyes letting his monstrous state drift away to the back of his mind. After a moment Raoul springs back up in a panic, his eyes full red color changing as the white of his sclera returns and his muscular strong physique shrinks back to normal.

Raoul immediately is sent into a full-blown panic as he looks down and sees the state he’s in. His hands were covered in blood, his shirt nowhere to be seen, and the remains of ravaged backpacks on the floor. Abject terror fills his heart as he panics thinking he had eaten the cave dwellers in his monstrous state.

“No no no”, he cries out in anguish standing up and rushing towards the backpacks he turns to Perrath and yells, “Please Perrath please tell me I didn’t eat anyone here while I was out. I don’t know how I can live with myself if I hurt them”.

As Perrath fills him in the details the dhampir can’t help but let out a flat chuckle sitting back on the floor in a mix of defeat and relief.

“Huh so that’s how everything went”, he covers his face in utter shame and frustration, “Gosh I’m so fucking embarrassed here I was thinking I could really do this. Be the hero and save people in need and yet here we are. You were the one who saved the day even though I was the one who called on your help”, he sighs heavily, “and yet again when it really counted I failed, instead falling back on my dark monstrous inheritance. The will and powers of a man who I despise more than anything in this entire world. I’m sure you think less of me now huh Perrath? I mean I wouldn’t blame you considering you know what truly I am now, I’m a monster. If you want to leave and not talk to me again now that you know I wouldn’t blame you and would understand”, Raoul says weakly.

While Perrath digs through the bags, he casts continuous glances toward the monstrous form of Raoul, who really just seems to be hungry. Fine, that’s fine for now. He’s not attacking. And then he lies down for a nap, and Perrath just watches him with tired eyes. When Raoul shoots awake and in a panic, the dragon lets him get it out of his system.

“No, the cavers are safe,” he says bluntly. “I sent them along with instructions to tell no one of what happened under threat of death. Your secret is safe.” Once Raoul is within his senses enough, Perrath explains what happens as plainly as he can, ensuring that his own annoyance at the situation doesn’t bleed through. The last thing Raoul needs is to feel more guilty about things.

While the dhampir laments, Perrath just stares at him blankly, an unwavering expression that seems nonplussed by everything. Of course, he feels some level of irritation at the situation. It could have been handled more smoothly had Raoul not caused a cave in with the explosion. Many things could have gone differently, but Perrath learned during their first meeting that expressing discontent with Raoul doesn’t yield any results he cares about. Instead, the man has been hopelessly optimistic in the time that Perrath has known him. Seeing Raoul so distressed about what’s happened is different.

And Perrath doesn’t want to make it worse for reasons he can’t exactly fathom himself. So, he just lets Raoul lament. Finally, one brow arches higher than the other. “Raoul, I am a dragon. Do not think so lowly of me that I would abandon you over a minor inconvenience.” Besides, now that he’s seen what Raoul is truly capable of, his opinion of him has shifted somewhat. He could be genuinely helpful. In fact, he was helpful as a monster. The Flederwulves were no longer a problem with Raoul in his more monstrous state.

“Regardless of your opinions on where the power inside you comes from, the power is yours. Use it as you see fit. Burying it will not help you learn to control it. Perhaps in time, it will be one of your greatest strengths. Never be ashamed of what you can do.”

The initial panic that once filled Raoul’s heart was now gone, the only thing he was feeling at the moment was disappointment and self-pity. He chuckled at Perrath’s reassurances, “Thank you Perrath for being such a kind and understanding friend throughout all of this. Of course, I don’t think of you as so lowly. It's just when people pick up that I’m part vampire I get chased and terrorized without remorse. Even people who seemed kind and were my friends have thrown garlic at me before. The power that I possess is a curse, I am part of a monstrous lineage of people who have done nothing to this world but hurt and destroy it”.

Raoul would stand up slowly opening his mouth and revealing his sharp fangs before speaking once more, “Perrath did you know that Raoul Orelius Ardelean isn’t even my real birth name? My original name is Abadeen Raoul Karnevil II, I am the only son of Moonglade’s most wanted serial killers of all time. My father killed so many people and whenever I use his power I see only him looking back at me, almost taunting me. It’s funny though, isn't it? A detective and someone who so readily pursues justice descends from a violent and brutal monster. Gods, if anyone ever heard that secret I’m sure I’d be ruined and no one would ever be able to trust me again. Perrath, my very existence hinges on draining the literal lifeforce and well-being of others so I can live. I’m not just some monster, I'm a living parasite.

The dhampir was then shaken by Perrath’s straightforward and honest words before breaking into a laugh taking his glasses off, “Gosh I’m such an idiot huh? Being such a downer and self-pitying fool seems quite pathetic. Logically speaking it’s very unproductive to wallow here and feel sorry for myself. Plus you're right Perrath, I am myself, I am my person, and my past can’t control me anymore. Even if the world wants to despise me for who I am then I’ll just have to keep on trying regardless. I care about so many things in this world, from the people to the sights, to simply the feeling of the breeze on your face. I will continue to fight to protect it all even if it means seeming like a foolhardy clown. If being stuck with this power is the only option then I must put more training and practice into it to make it my own and learn better self-control".

Perrath crosses his arms, bits of armor clinking together while his unwavering stare watches Raoul. For a dragon whose expressions tend to be those of disgust or discontent, it’s probably odd to see him just looking firm and unbothered. “You speak of monstrous lineage, but at first glance, you seem as usual as any other human walking around.” Freeing one hand, Perrath motions to himself. “Meanwhile, I am of a fearsome draconic lineage. This is not my true form, and yet I wear it proudly. The world will only see you as you choose to have them see you. I desire to be respected for my whole self and the deeds I choose to do.”

Crossing his arm again, Perrath lets out a small huff, his lip twisted up into an annoyed sneer, though it doesn’t seem to be directed at Raoul. “If you wish to take any solace on your effect on the world, then you should know that I have done more good because of you than I would have otherwise. So take some pride in that. It isn’t how I wanted to make a name for myself, but I suppose it hasn’t hurt to have a mixed reputation rather than a negative one.” Somehow the words feel like poison to admit. As much as Perrath would rather let people suffer the consequences of their choices, he can’t help that he’s made friends with certain individuals that might have influenced him in one way or another.

Glory and power. Well, he’s gotten some small amount of glory. Another huff, another grunt. Perrath’s arms uncross and one hand rests on his hip. Behind him, his tail twitches while he looks at Raoul. “If you must subsist on the lifeforce of others, then perhaps it would be in your best interest to subsist on those whose values oppose your own. Hunt criminals and feed upon them to sate your hunger. That seems like something you could reasonably do. I certainly have no qualms with hunting people down for this purpose.” Admittedly, he has no qualms with hunting anyone down just for the thrill of it, but Raoul doesn’t need to know that.

Looking at Raoul with some warmth in his eyes for the first time, Perrath lets his shoulders relax. “Now, are you ready to return to the village? I should make sure this illegal plant makes it into the right hands.”

The dhampir couldn’t help but have a small smile as the dragon spoke so honestly and clearly, that he was right. Logically speaking Raoul looked like any other common adventurer perhaps a little sickly looking considering the pale skin and there were the fangs but besides that, he was still like anyone else. He bled the same, laughed the same, cried the same as any other person would, and even if he was a parasitic monster at least he had his humanity to bind his carnivorous desires.

“You’re right it’s a little self-centered to think I’m the only one with problems like this. It’s important to be proud of yourself and maybe even if the world treats you cruelly the only thing you can really do is just be yourself”.

Raoul continued to smile a little wider as the dragon said such kind words, “I’m happy to hear that I mean you seemed so confident, so sure of yourself in that cave. I’m honestly surprised that I pushed you to be good since it seems you always know what to do. I’d much rather have a mixed reputation than a good one for it’s much more rewarding to be admired than despised by people I can say that firsthand”.

He placed a finger on his chin as he heard Perrath’s suggestion, “I’d never really thought of doing something like that since indulging in human meat is such a difficult temptation. I usually sustain myself on animal meat and hunt during the night for my sustenance for blood. However, I have slipped up in the past and let myself run wild. But taking blood from criminals who deserve it wouldn’t be a half-bad idea. At least just the minimum amount to get by plus I could probably talk to authorities about it perhaps”.

Raoul chuckles softly genuine joy in his voice, “I'm truly lucky to have such a kind and dependable friend like you Perrath. Of course I am, let’s hurry up and get this day finished. Get that plant where it rightly belongs and should be going after all we can’t let it reach the wrong people”, looking towards the horizon as the sun begins to set.

If anything, Perrath is glad to see that Raoul takes his words in earnest and to heart. The dour mood quickly lightens as the dhampir seems to find some light in the situation. Thank Lunala. Perrath started running low on the ability to be genuinely empathetic after all that talking. He certainly wouldn’t call himself kind nor dependable, but perhaps in Raoul’s experience, Perrath has been exactly that. He tries not to grimace at the idea. This isn’t the kind of glorified adventurer he wanted to be.

It’s fine. It benefits them both.

“Very good. Glad to see you’ve gotten some spark back,” he says, nodding in agreement. With another huff, Perrath starts descending the mountain to return to the village. He wants to make sure those stupid cavers didn’t do anything he told them not to do.

Once they get back to the village, Perrath wishes Raoul well before going on his own way. “I’m sure I’ll hear from you again in time,” he says simply before slipping off into the village. Looking over the packaged plant in his hands, he knows exactly where this needs to go. How those cavers got their hands on it, he’s not sure, but it’s all the more reason to keep an eye out for them. Raoul has earned enough loyalty from the dragon for the paladin to be willing to go out of his way for him.