The life of a guard, for Akito, at least, felt rather repetitive. It was the same thing over and over again. He’d guard until he couldn’t even see the lights of lanterns in the street, guard until the sun went down and maybe even the next day. Because in all honesty, nothing ever really happened in the empire, besides for random wars the tactician was trying to cause. And today was no exception— or so he thought.

Leaning against the red walls of the royal palace, where he also resided but in a lesser area, Akito was staying guard, as per usual. He ran a hand through his ginger hair, olive eyes focused on the surrounding area. Another festival seemed to be going on in the center of town, most likely due to the bright lanterns and lights illuminating the inky midnight sky— as well as the distant sound of music being played.

Suddenly, he heard a clattering sound coming from the roof. Oh great, another stupidly obese bird trying to rip apart the tiles. Stomping up the stairs, polearm in hand, he went to the roof and looked around in the crisp nighttime air.. only to find that there was someone lying on the roof. Someone with long, long blond hair.. someone with horns? And a tail? A dragon..? His words caught in his throat as he watched the person— or whatever this was— slightly sit up and face him, their eyes a warm fiery hue, sharp and locked onto his own. This certainly wasn’t an obese bird..