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The deep, glossy black of Termeraire's hide was a striking contrast to the pure, shining white of the recent snowfall, Laurence thought as he strode out of the village towards his dragon. They had been away from the bitter, deathly cold of Russia's landscape long enough for both man and dragon to appreciate the beauty of the more temperate snowfalls of the Peaks.
Temeraire, Laurence was saddened to admit, was very much aware of the artistic effect of his dark colors against fresh snow, especially when the sunlight reflected from the surface caught on the blue highlights on his scales and made them shine. Laurence had even caught him posing in the snow on several ocassions, turning this way and that and eyeing his own hide to find the position that maximized the juxtaposition.
Today however, Temeraire's attention was elsewhere; he was peering into the wide, now snow-covered village green adjacent to area set aside for dragons to land and rest between flights. When Laurence had left him there an hour earlier to visit the smithy and tailor, the area had been deserted, but now a half dozen chilren were laughing and playing in the snow.
As he approached Temeraire, Laurence could see that several of them were laying fully on the ground and swishing their arms and legs in the classic snow angel pattern.
"Laurence," asked Temeraire when he noticed his approach, "What are those children doing? I thought people didn't like to lie down in the snow."
"They're making snow angels," Laurence responded. "I did it myself as a child, before going to sea. Children generally are less concerned about taking a chill or getting their clothes wet than adults."
"Angels? They don't seem to be sculpting anything at all, let alone an angel. Not like the snowmen we saw last month on our way home from the covert."
"One doesn't sculpt a snow angel; although I suppose it could be done. No, you see how the children are sweeping their arms and legs out in the snow? If they take a care when they stand up, the pattern left in the snow will resemble an angel. The impressions from the arms form the wings, and the legs form the robes. Ah- see? That young lad has done it," Laurence pointed towards one decidedly nimble boy who had leapt well clear of his angel.
"Hmmm," said Temeraire, moving his long neck to bring his head even closer to the nearby children. Luckily the village's youngest residents had long become accustomed to Temeraire and weren't in the least frightened by this increased proximity.
"I have never seen an angel, Laurence, but are they not men? Those patterns in the snow look like dragons to me. Are the angels in your Bible dragons?"
"No, my dear," replied Laurence slowly. While a devout man, he sometimes found it difficult to provide Temeraire with answers about religion that were acceptable to the dragon's boundless curiosity.
"Angels are holy creatures, messengers from God. They are usually depicted as man-like in appearance, except for the presence of large wings on their backs. I believe Tenzing has a book at home with some illustrations; we can look at it when we return."
"If you'd like," answered Temeraire, undeterred. "But even if angels do look like men with wings, it seems to me that the shapes the children are making could just as easily be dragons. If a dragon were to fall on its back in the snow during a battle, his wings would be out and he would surely keep his neck and head up in order to keep watch on his attacker. That would account for the top. And as for the bottom, certainly a tail lashing about trying to maintain balance or roll the body over would create just that same appearance the children are making with their legs."
Laurence opened his mouth to respond, but Temeraire continued triumphantly, "And of course, Laurence, these children have seen many dragons, between myself and our friends flying over when they visit us. Surely none of them has ever seen an angel, if they are to be found only in books? The village children I've met don't seem very interested in books; many of them can't even read properly! I think it much more likely that they are making dragons- snow dragons."
As often happened in their discussions, Laurence found himself unable to devise a firm argument in the wake of Temeraire's more naturally dragon-centric view of the world.
"I suppose the only way to know with certainty would be to ask them."
"An excellent idea," Temeraire responded eagerly. "And if, after all, they are not making snow dragons, surely they will be inspired to do so once they hear of the idea. After all, what could me more grand than a dragon! And, now that I think upon it, perhaps we could suggest that they carve some dragons out of the snow as well. That would be even better still, and much more interesting than those three balls of snow you called snowmen."
Not waiting for an answer from his captain, Temeraire leaned close to speak with the children, and Laurence felt a flash of gratitude towards Tenzing, who had encouraged him to add an extra layer of clothing to his normal flight outfit before leaving- just in case they were caught in the snow. He suspected he and Temeraire would be remaining on the ground until the children were called home for supper. All in all, it was as pleasant a way to spend a winter day outside as he could imagine.