Danny very nearly flinched when she spoke. His mouth dried up and he swallowed, trying to not let his nerves show. He was still standing, still alive. This was fine.
"I'm--" he began, but his voice betrayed him and croaked. Danny cleared his throat and tried again more confidently this time. "I'm Danny." He straightened his shoulders and jutted his chin slightly, reminding himself that he had the dirt on her and she had nothing on him. Take it easy, nice and slow, he told himself.
"Hope you don't mind that I'm here. I'm not all up on the whole ancient traditions bullshit, you know? Lived with humans too long." There was no getting around her knowing he was another dragon. He shrugged and shuffled his feet, sticking his hands into his worn jacket pockets, fingering the small handful of buttons he had in them to help steady his nerves.