My what intersting things they put in books these days...
A small portion of Black Powder War, 3rd book in the Temeraire series by Naomi Novik.
(And Temeraire is a Celestrial black dragon btw, the rest are humans)
Temeraire, relieved of his harness, plunged at once into the lake; mountain streams rolled down to feed it from all sides, and its floor was lined with smooth tumbled stones; it was a little shallow now on the cusp of August, but he managed to throw water over his back, and he frolicked and squirmed over the pebbles with great enthusiasm.
"That is very refreshing; but surely it must be time to eat now?" he said as he climbed out, and looked meaningfully at the roasting deer.
"Did you have a pleasant bathe?" Laruence asked, changing the subject.
"Oh, yes; those rocks were very nice, " Temeraire said, wistfully, "although it was not quite as agreeable as being with Mei."
Lung Quin Mei, a charming Imperial dragon, had been Temeraire's intimate companion in Peking; Laurence had feared since their departure that Temeraire might privately be pining for her. But this sudden mention seemed a non sequitur; nor did Temeraire seem very love-lorn in his tone. Then Granby said, "Oh, dear," and stood up to call across the camp, "Mr. Ferris! Mr. Ferris, tell those boys to pour out that water, and go and fetch some from the stream instead, if you please."
"Temeraire!" Laurence said, scarlet with comprehension.
"Yes?" Temeraire looked at him, puzzled. "Well, do you not find it more pleasant to be with Jane, than to--"
Laurence stood up hastily, saying, "Mr. Granby, pray call the men to dinner now," and pretended not to hear the unsteady stifled mirth in Granby's voice as he said, "Yes, sir," and dashed away.
(And Temeraire is a Celestrial black dragon btw, the rest are humans)
Temeraire, relieved of his harness, plunged at once into the lake; mountain streams rolled down to feed it from all sides, and its floor was lined with smooth tumbled stones; it was a little shallow now on the cusp of August, but he managed to throw water over his back, and he frolicked and squirmed over the pebbles with great enthusiasm.
"That is very refreshing; but surely it must be time to eat now?" he said as he climbed out, and looked meaningfully at the roasting deer.
"Did you have a pleasant bathe?" Laruence asked, changing the subject.
"Oh, yes; those rocks were very nice, " Temeraire said, wistfully, "although it was not quite as agreeable as being with Mei."
Lung Quin Mei, a charming Imperial dragon, had been Temeraire's intimate companion in Peking; Laurence had feared since their departure that Temeraire might privately be pining for her. But this sudden mention seemed a non sequitur; nor did Temeraire seem very love-lorn in his tone. Then Granby said, "Oh, dear," and stood up to call across the camp, "Mr. Ferris! Mr. Ferris, tell those boys to pour out that water, and go and fetch some from the stream instead, if you please."
"Temeraire!" Laurence said, scarlet with comprehension.
"Yes?" Temeraire looked at him, puzzled. "Well, do you not find it more pleasant to be with Jane, than to--"
Laurence stood up hastily, saying, "Mr. Granby, pray call the men to dinner now," and pretended not to hear the unsteady stifled mirth in Granby's voice as he said, "Yes, sir," and dashed away.