Even for the non-aquatic. Why did that sound so judgmental in Rasmus's ears? Probably because everything had the tendency to sound that way to him. Then again, he was used to disappointment. Disappointment and dismay and people turning him away. Why shouldn't he expect that from Summerview's finest as well?
Not that she was wrong, of course. She was perfectly in the right. He wasn't aquatic, although he could swim and often prided himself on his ability to do so without looking like he was drowning. Many dragons couldn't do that, you know. Look like they were swimming without drowning. They were so midsection heavy. Well, most of them anyway. Not the slithering type, of course. But Rasmus was not the type of dragon that slithered. He was the type that left a trail of cold shoulders in his wake.
She was also correct that the waterfalls were lovely.
"They do have a soothing quality about them. But that's just nature in general, I suppose."
He peeked into the bag to see if everything she mentioned was safely nestled inside. Once satisfied, he rolled up the top part of the bag and stuffed it into the pocket of his jacket.
"I guess you will just have to grace me with the more delightful aspect of your company on another occasion."
Rasmus stepped towards the door, paused, and looked back at her.
"Thank you for not allowing me to die on the sidewalk. That would have been a most embarrassing end to my life."
He opened his mouth then as though he might say something more and then, quite abruptly, left. Goodbyes had never been his area of expertise. Nor was expressing gratitude, but on that account he at least tried.