Thomas broke into a bright smile when he saw the young dragon. He was perhaps a bit tickled to hear she had insisted on coming. "I am always pleased to see Miss Kitten, and she is always welcome to visit."

He delighted in the small dragon, and he rather liked talking to her, even if the conversation seemed one-sided at first. She was quite a clever creature when she got going, and he liked showing her new things.

"I have tea on, if you'd like. And some snacks. I don't know how doing this sort of thing effects you," he confessed. But he thought she might like to sit and rest after.

Thomas showed Daine to the large cage where his little colony lived. It was just about four feet tall with lots of places to climb and hide. As soon as Daine was near, three furry bodies clamored to the highest level. One came a bit slower, sneezing all the way.

"There he is," he said a bit sadly. "He's been sneezing and wheezing a few days now." The young rat had red discharge caked around his nose and eyes.